When I began exploring the Santa Fe, I was told that the visible river represents only a fraction of the river’s flow, the majority courses through an intricate network of underground passages in the karst substrate. Through many means, including dye traces, modeling, and scuba divers, the water’s journey has been traced, though much still remains unexplored. Alligator swallet just downstream from the 441 bridge swallows large volumes of water only to rise back up before the 27 bridge.
In both locations you will find yourself spinning through the force of the water’s flow. I recorded a moment coming into the swallet, I wish I had one depicting the spin created by the rise. It’s an unnerving adventure because the rise is hidden by the river and is detectable only through it’s boil. A paddler nearing the boil finds their boat slowly spinning out of their control. This fascinating process adds another layer to the intricate dynamics of the Santa Fe River. The video on the left is of the swallet and on the right you can see the boil created by the rise.
To read more about these features, check out the following:
The Southern Geological Society Guide book June 8, 2014
Description of Priority Springs, SRWMD, appendix 2-2
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
