Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve

• The Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve encompasses the entire length of the Rainbow River.
• The river begins at Rainbow Springs and empties into the Withlacoochee River 5.7 miles to the south.
• Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring.
• The 72 degree F clear water is home to 23 species of fish representing seven families of fishes.
• This area is rich in cultural resources dating back to 7000 to 3000 B.C.

Resource Management 

The aquatic preserve partners with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to chemically treat and/or manually remove Eurasian water milfoil, hydrilla and water lettuce to control their expansion on the Rainbow River. Preserve staff also have replanted native aquatic vegetation.

Wildlife Protection and Habitat Restoration
Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve is an important natural resource for both wildlife and the people of Florida. From an ecological perspective, the aquatic preserve has an abundance of flora communities that provide excellent habitat for Florida's native fauna. Resource management continues to be one of the most important strategies in maintaining the overall health and success of Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve.

RSAP has assisted with Eckerd College’s ongoing turtle population survey since 2004. During these surveys, students and staff at Eckerd College collect turtles from the Rainbow River, measure and process the turtles including pit tags. The tags are scanned in previously collected turtles to update their data and show previous measurements. This routine sampling establishes turtle population dynamics for long term monitoring.

Education and Outreach

RSAP has been a featured exhibitor at the annual Florida SpringsFest event held at Silver Springs State Park since the origin of the festival. ORAP hosts an interactive exhibit where festival attendants can gain hands on experience with freshwater turtle species and can learn about native and nonnative species of plants and animals within the preserve. Approximately 5,000 people attend the festival annually. The aquatic preserve also conducts programs in aquatic ecology for area schools, with attendance from more than 20 teachers and 500 students each year.

Research and Monitoring

In partnership with SWFWMD's Surface Water Improvement and Management Program, the aquatic preserve continues to collect water chemistry and clarity data on a bimonthly basis. To date, the preserve has archived more than eight years of water chemistry data for the river.

Water Quality Monitoring

Water quality is one of the primary issues of importance for Rainbow Springs Aquatic Preserve. Without adequate safeguards, historical land use or changes in current land uses often lead to degradation of water quality through increased nutrient loads. The aquatic preserve has experienced changes in water quality that have negatively impacted the natural habitats and wildlife as well as decreased the aesthetic benefit for public use.

While much historic water quality data exists, recent and current research and monitoring for the Rainbow River is being coordinated by SWFWMD and DEP for pollutant load reduction goals (PLRG) and total maximum daily load (TMDL) programs.