Convict Spring

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Why do they call it Convict Spring? In the early 1900's the spring was used by the Lafayette county jail system.  The prisoners worked on road projects (chain gangs) and when it was too far to go back to the jail, they stayed at remote camps through out the county.  Convict Spring was one of these remote camps.  Treasure hunters have found some artifacts from the prison camp days on our property over the years.

Convict Spring Cave

Convict Spring is fed from an underground cave system that is fed from the florida aquifer.  The Convict Spring cave has very narrow passages and is only accessible using a side mount dive method.  Only very skilled and experienced divers are able to gain access to the cave system. 

In 2001 Dell Moats, John Moseley, Michael Poucher, and Bill Rennaker were able to successfully survey the Convict Spring Cave.  The extraordinary video footage is testament to the beautiful yet dangerous conditions inside the cave and can be viewed in the lodge.  The cave has been mapped to about ¼ of mile.

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The best swimming!

Convict Spring has beautiful clear water that makes for great swimming. The spring water flows at a constant 70.5 degrees all year long.

The spring is low but the water is clear and you can see the cave entrance and the fish swimming.

Up to date Convict Spring report!

January 28, 2012 Spring reading is 01.30

Convict Spring is clear but it is kind of cold out to swim.  We do have some duck weed but it is still clear to dive in.  There is a Y-tube on Convict Spring cave.   It is  a pretty nice vidio.  Troy, Telford, Running, Little River, Lafayette Blue and Bathtub are still clear. We now have a beach at the spring cut and the boat ramp because of the low water. The river is good for canoeing and kayaking.  We are currently doing trips from Dowling Park South.   In the morning the water looks like corn popping with the Bream and Bass jumping.  The sturgeons have gone south to the gulf for the winter but we may have a stray one jump here and there.  

We are launching canoes and kayaks from our ramp.  

Suwannee River Water Management District has replaced our spring water gage so we can read it now.  The water level will be recorded every day and sent off to the SRWMD every month.  I will post the reading whenever I update the spring report. 

Excellent Fishing!

Many fishermen will tell you the Suwannee River is great for fishing. 

Whether you are boating or fishing off the banks of the river you will enjoy great fishing opportunities. 

A Florida Fresh Water Fishing License is required to fish and they are available in the town of Mayo or online.  You can use our computer to access the goverment site and get your fishing or hunting license.

Our spring is for swimming only. Fishing is allowed at the spring cut and on the banks of the river.

 

Charlie taking a swim off the bank.  He wants to know if you would like to join him.