florida springs

Florida boasts at least 1,000 freshwater springs, more than any other U.S. state. They are all under threats from agricultural pollution, stress from rapid development and from climate change that is altering rainfall patterns and causing sea level rise. Some places, such as the town of Zephyrhills in west-central Florida, have imposed moratoriums on specific kinds of new construction just to slow things down.

A wish comes true for five former performers from the famed underwater park in Hernando County. Now in their 70s, they dipped into their younger aquatic days and shared memories.

A springs-advocacy group is challenging newly proposed state rules, saying they will not adequately prevent water withdrawals that could harm what are designated as “Outstanding Florida Springs.”

The state has been slow to adopt rules to protect Florida's endangered springs. While a boom in residential construction has increased the amount of groundwater being taken from the aquifers.

Keith Padgett paints the winding rivers, waterside forests and old-timey shrimp boats of Florida’s rural Gulf Coast. Yet, like many other artists who paint landscapes of nature in Florida, Padgett fears the myriad of threats chipping away at the very subject of his work.

University of South Florida geography professor Christopher Meindl spent a decade researching Florida springs. He just debuted first book Florida Springs: From Geography to Politics and Restoration.

Florida's springs are threated by pollution and nitrogen runoff that lead to algae growth and interfere with habitat for manatees, fish, turtles and otters.

Last year an appeals court struck down Florida’s plans to restore polluted springs, siding with the advocacy group that said those plans were ineffective. Now, as the state works on revisions, advocates fear the pending changes will still fail Florida springs.

A Senate panel has approved a plan to appropriate new dollars for the St. Johns River and Florida’s springs. But the proposal could wind up vying for...

An advocacy group for Florida's natural springs has outlined concerns with a major water-policy bill that is expected to be quickly approved during the…