Many residents and countless visitors to peninsula Florida are familiar with most of the major rivers of the “Sunshine State.”
They range from the wild and remote “River of Grass” in the Everglades, to the northward- flowing St. John’s, (which is only yards wide at its source south of Sanford) to the mile-wide river, which empties into the Atlantic, near Jacksonville. There is also the historic Suwannee, Lostman’s River, Peace River, Withlacoochee and Econlockhatchee!
But, chances are very strong that these millions of residents and visitors are completely unaware of a vast river, flowing from north to south at a steady 5 to 6 miles per hour through expanses of porous limestone caverns, caves and fissures, right under our feet, for eons!
About the only time this vast underground river is visible is at the more than 110 fresh-water springs all throughout Florida, many in the Ocala National Forest, and some with names ranging from Silver Springs to Ichetucknee to Econlockhatchee. This “unseen river” has existed for millions of years and remains one of the state’s most unique and valuable geological features. A pair of experienced divers recently risked their lives in an underground filming of this river for about eight miles, entering at one spring, and emerging at another, with unforgettable footage!
Unfortunately, it is also the source of many sinkholes, ranging from small to enormous, and even the source of fatalities to humans… as well as to animals. It is very likely that this “Hidden River” is flowing silently below you as you read this article! PN
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