Wakulla Springs, Wakulla County

June Grass

Water the color of coffee that has been left in the office coffee pot all day, but not at all surprising considering the rain that has been falling on the Florida Panhandle.

This is the only time I have ever been to Wakulla and not had crystal clear water in the shallow areas around the margins of the spring basin and down the run into the river and wildlife preserve.


I did get to see two manatees while on the boat tour. Boat skipper Kat (Cat?) gave by far the best tour I have had on many visits to Wakulla. There were of course lots of small alligators and water birds in and around the spring, and it was lovely despite the lack of clear water. I did not see Joe Jr. on this visit.

Morrison Springs, Walton County

June Grass

Morrison is of course flooded after Hurricane Michael but there doesn’t appear to be any damage to the facilities or even the trees around the park and basin. The county health department has the “no swimming” sign up. I saw a flock of turkeys when I pulled into the parking lot and a kingfisher in the spring basin. There was a fisherman and this guy , although he wasn’t in the water.

Morrison Springs, Walton County

June Grass

The visibility at Morrison is at least 12′ and the county health department has re-posted the high bacteria warning. There are a lot of leaves on the bottom and floating on the surface.

Morrison Springs, Walton County

June Grass

The water is clear but the health warning is still up (clear water does not = clean water, you have been warned). Upon closer inspection there seems to be some murky river water on the downstream side of the basin, there is a lot of debris on the surface from the recent rain, and a fairly large selection of oil slicks.

I didn’t stay very long because there was a young man, with a skateboard, in the parking lot who appeared to be casing cars.