Like brilliant aquamarine gems, Florida's natural springs adorn the landscape throughout the Suwannee River region exuding a mystique that has lured man for centuries.

Tranquil and translucent, dark and deep, these dazzling pools have enticed the curious, from ancient Indians to present-day cave divers.

Revered for their "healing" properties, these mineral springs once attracted people of every race and culture suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and other chronic conditions. Some were later converted into posh health resorts by shrewd businessmen. As historic sites of early Indian villages or Spanish missions, many of these clear, natural pools today are protected and preserved for public recreation.

Cool in the summer and warm in the winter, the springs attract creatures great and small, from the tiny endangered sand grain snail to the giant, gentle manatee. Albino crayfish and shrimp, adapted only for cave existence, navigate blindly through the underwater caverns. Gulf sturgeon, a federal threatened species, use the springs as resting places during their migration up the Suwannee River to spawn.

North Florida's springs have a rich and fascinating past; their future is yet to be determined. Popularity sometimes breed problems such as erosion and pollution. As you visit and enjoy these natural wonders, please do your part to preserve and protect them.