Lithia Springs Regional Park

Lithia Springs Regional Park, is a park in Lithia, Hillsborough County, Florida, in the United States. The park's major attraction is a natural spring from which water flows year-round at a temperature of 72 degrees. Sixty per-cent of the park is surrounded by the Alafia River, into which the water from the spring flows.

Lithia Springs Regional Park
Nearest cityLithia, Florida
Coordinates27.865°N 82.229°W / 27.865; -82.229
Area160 acres (650,000 m2)[1]

In addition to the popular swimming area, the park includes forty-five campsites and two indoor shower facilities, as well as canoe and kayak launch facilities. There is a large grassy area, a fishing dock, volleyball, and hiking trails.

A circular trail between the park and Alderman's Ford Regional Park is being planned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SwiftMud) and the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP).[2]

Lithia Spring Major

The spring, officially known as Lithia Spring Major, is located 500 feet from the Alafia River, into which it discharges an average of 35 million gallons of water per day. Lithia Springs is within the Floridan Aquifer, and is recharged by precipitation falling within five to ten miles of the vent. The spring vent lies in 10–15 feet of water, underneath an outcropping of limestone, which is part of the Arcadia Formation, and is protected by a steel grate. As the water is very clear, the vent is clearly visible in the swimming area. The water is a year-round temperature of 72 degrees, making it the warmest in Central Florida. The water contains nitrates, sulfates, as well as a trace amount of its namesake Lithium. Research by the WQMP shows the elevated level of nitrates is caused by fertilizer applied to citrus in close proximity to the spring. A portion of the water is diverted to an industrial facility operated by the Mosaic fertilizer mining company.[3]

References
  1. "Lithia Springs Regional Park". Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. Salinero, Mike (5 June 2015). "Water managers, Hillsborough at odds over selling preserve land". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  3. "The Hydrology and Water Quality of Select Springs in the Southwest Florida Water Management District" (PDF). SwiftMud. Swiftmud. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2016.


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