Know Your Springs

ABOUT GAINER SPRINGS

Today, the natural beauty of Gainer Springs remains as pristine as it was when the early settlers first discovered it. Protected by the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the water drawn from the spring is void of any industrial...

HISTORY OF GAINER SPRINGS

Over one thousand years ago, Creek, Cherokee and Seminole Indians drew water from this icy clear spring… they called it “Econfina” or “Natural Bridge” for a natural limestone arch which crossed the sparkling creek at the mouth of the spring.

SPRING CLASSIFICATIONS

Springs are classified by their Volume of Flow (Discharge) and are divided into eight classifications, with “First Magnitude” having the highest volume of flow. Gainer Springs is one of only 75 First Magnitude Springs in the United States and one of only 27 in the state of Florida.

VOLUME OF FLOW

Volume of Flow (Discharge) is typically measured in “millions of gallons per day” or “cubic feet per second” (cfs). Gainer Springs produces over 1,400 million gallons of water each day.

ST. ANDREW BAY WATERSHED

The St. Andrew Bay watershed is the only major watershed located entirely within the Florida Panhandle. For management purposes, it is defined as incorporating the interconnected St. Andrew...

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

The Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD or District) stretches from the St. Marks River Basin in Jefferson County to the Perdido River in Escambia County.