Crystal River (Florida) facts for kids
The Crystal River is a very short river in Citrus County, Florida. It flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The river is only about seven miles (eleven kilometers) long. It gets its name from the many clear springs that feed it.
About thirty natural springs add a huge amount of warm water to the river every day. This is about 300 million gallons (1,135 million liters)! One famous group of springs is Three Sisters Springs.
The warm water in the river is a big draw for manatees. Kings Bay, where most of the springs are, is home to around 350 manatees in winter. Some scientists believe Crystal River is the most important safe place for manatees in the United States.
In the early 1800s, Crystal River was called Weewahiiaca. This name likely came from the Creek language. Wewa means "water" and haiyayaka means "clear." The city of Crystal River is located right on the river. You can also find the Crystal River Archaeological State Park here.
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Kings Bay: A Manatee Haven
Kings Bay is where the Crystal River begins. Many springs feed into it, keeping the water at a constant temperature of 72°F (22°C) all year. This warm water is why hundreds of manatees come here in winter. They want to escape the colder water of the Gulf of Mexico. The springs in Kings Bay provide a home for a large part of the entire US manatee population. About 15 to 20 percent of all US manatees live here.
Challenges for Crystal River
Crystal River and Kings Bay face some challenges. Studies show that the level of nitrates in the water has been increasing. Nitrates are chemicals that can be harmful. In the early 1900s, nitrate levels were much lower than they are today. The main reason for this increase is water flowing from springs. It also comes from too much use of fertilizers on land.
Algae and Invasive Plants
A type of blue-green algae called Lyngbya has also been a problem in Kings Bay. This algae can be bad for manatees and can cause health issues for people. It also hurts tourism in Crystal River. Workers have removed over 1,000 tons of Lyngbya using special machines and rakes. However, removing the algae doesn't always help native plants grow back. Manatees also like to eat new plants, making it hard for them to survive.
Since the 1960s, new types of water plants have caused issues. These are called exotic aquatic plants. Hydrilla and Eurasian watermilfoil are two main concerns. These plants can grow very thick. This makes it hard for boats to move because the plants get tangled in their propellers.
Helping Crystal River: A Special Project
A project started in 2012 to help clean the water in Kings Bay. It uses water hyacinth and water lettuce plants. These plants help clean the water and reduce algae. Even though water hyacinth can be an invasive plant, they are used carefully here. They are placed in special PVC corrals. These corrals keep the plants in one place. The hyacinths filter out bad stuff and help clear up the green water caused by algae. The corrals are important because manatees love to eat these plants! The Kings Bay Adaptive Management Group (KBAM) leads this important project.
