Three Sisters Springs (Florida)

Overview

Three Sisters Springs is a 57-acre site which "contains 45 acres of uplands and 12 acres of wetlands, including three second-magnitude springs that serve as a winter refuge for manatees". The springs contain both sand boils and vents. A 2014–15 winter water temperature study determined the average temperature of the Three Sisters Springs was 23.182 C. It "lies within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and previously served as a wetland system benefitting Kings Bay".

The springs previously were threatened by development prospects, such as a 2008 condominium proposal. In 2010, a partnership between local, state and federal organizations led to the purchase of the Three Sisters Springs for $10.5 million. Three Sisters Springs became "a protected, national wildlife refuge" managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; it is co-owned by the District and the City of Crystal River. The springs were initially only accessible by boat. Following the purchase, a boardwalk around the springs and trolley to the location were added. Due to erosion concerns, in-water access is limited to arrival by boat and there is no land access from the water. Motorized vessels are not permitted within the springs and paddle-craft are not permitted within during manatee season.

Stabilization projects around the shoreline of the springs occurred in 2016 and 2023. The restoration used soil fill with nonwoven fabric to allow tree roots to grow through, with the fabric decaying over time. The soil becomes stabilized after the "tree roots lock together". The project also used limestone boulders and native vegetation with the end result appearing to be "part of the natural landscape". A new visitor center opened in 2023 which made the springs more accessible to tourists.

Wildlife

Three Sisters Springs is home to many manatees and is one of the Crystal River's sanctuaries. It "is the only 'confined-water body in the United States' open for the public to see wintering manatees, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". A study on warm water refuge use by manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge determined "when ambient temperatures were warmer" (20 C), the animals were "found in the Crystal or Salt Rivers or in the Gulf of Mexico" and at "colder ambient water temperatures", the manatees were "found in or near the springs (especially Three Sisters Springs)". At extreme cold temperatures (

In adherence to the mission of protecting and preserving the manatee and its habitat, the areas around the springs have been designated as manatee sanctuaries and are closed to vessels from November 15 through March 31. However, swimmers are able to enter the spring from the water during this time with possible periodic discretionary closures due to manatee behavior. Visitors can view the manatees in their natural setting from land by use of the observation boardwalk overlooking the spring.

Many species of birds can also be seen at the springs with some "known to have nested on or near Three Sisters Springs". These nesting birds include anhinga, common gallinule, limpkin, mottled duck, osprey, pied-billed grebe, sandhill crane, and sora.

References

References

1. "Three Sisters Springs Bank Stabilization Project".
2. (2004). "Springs of Florida". Florida Department of Environmental Resources.
3. Slone, Daniel H.. (2017). "Timing of warm water refuge use in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge by manatees—Results and insights from Global Positioning System telemetry data". [[U.S. Geological Survey]].
4. (2024-11-15). "Here's how you can swim with manatees this fall in Florida".
5. "Boating - non-motorized at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge".
6. "Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge {{!}} What We Do".
7. Behrendt, Barbara. (March 20, 2013). "Balance of access, protection sought in Crystal River refuge plan".
8. Slone, Daniel H. (2017). "Water temperature in Three Sisters Springs, and water temperature and level in Magnolia Spring: Winter 2014-15". [[U.S. Geological Survey]].
9. Medina, Carlos E.. (August 7, 2010). "Protecting Three Sisters Springs".
10. "Three Sisters Springs Purchase Earns Award".
11. Jones, Barbara K.. (2019). "Wild Capital: Nature's Economic and Ecological Wealth". University of Florida Press.
12. "Three Sisters Springs".
13. "How Can I Swim at Three Sisters Springs?".
14. Morris, Athina. (2023-03-30). "Three Sisters Springs to close for several months".
15. (2023-06-29). "Want to visit the manatees in Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River? Wait 'til November".
16. Morgan, Diane. (2023). "Secrets of the Manatee: An Insider's Guide to Florida's Most Iconic Marine Mammal". [[Rowman & Littlefield]].
17. Steiner, Steve. (2023-11-15). "Three Sisters Springs Center now open".
18. Steiner, Steve. (2024-04-14). "Three Sisters Springs visitations increased; new location a major contributing factor".
19. "Three Sisters Spring".
20. [https://archive.today/20130629230105/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/manatees/white-text When Push Comes to Shove; The Florida manatee is thriving in Kings Bay, and so is tourism. Therein lies the problem.] April 2013 ''[[National Geographic (magazine). National Geographic]]''.
21. Hetter, Katia. (2015-02-04). "Florida manatees crowd out humans".
22. "Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge".
23. Milman, Oliver. (2016-02-11). "Hundreds of manatees congregate in Florida refuge to escape chilly seas". The Guardian.
24. (August 2019). "Three Sisters Springs Birding Brochure". [[U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service]].