Preserving Rock Bluff Springs through conservation

LIVE OAK, FLA., Dec. 16, 2020 – “There are properties the public needs to own for enjoyment and to keep them as pristine as possible for generations to come,” explained Donald Quincey, Jr., Suwannee River Water Management District former board member and Chiefland area resident.

To Quincey, Rock Bluff Springs is one of those properties. The 700-foot “spring run” along the Suwannee River is often crystal-clear and features large cypress trees in its center.

Before 2019, the area was privately owned and public access was limited to those with a boat. Now, thanks to a public-private collaboration, the spring and the land around it are public and preserved through what has become the J.H. Anderson Jr. Memorial Park, protecting Rock Bluff Springs and encompassing an added 170 acres on the Suwannee River.

With the help of state partners, the Suwannee River Water Management District was able to match funds and acquire the property. The District funds and manages initial facility improvement projects, while Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is responsible for long-term maintenance.

“I remember enjoying the springs with my father and grandfather,” said Edwin McCook, Suwannee River Water Management District land management specialist. “But as laws changed so did access to the springs. Now, I know my son, grandsons and so many members of the community who would not have otherwise had access will be able to enjoy this gem for years to come.”

Read more at www.MySuwanneeRiver.com.

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