FOCUS ON WATER
From above, the Rainbow River Springs in the tiny town of Dunnellon, west of Ocala, look unreal, appearing as a shimmering watercolor mirage in the midst of a pristine, almost prehistoric, setting. Live oak and abundant shrub densely frame and reflect off crystal water that sparkles a light Caribbean-blue close to shore. As the terrain steepens and becomes rocky, the water intensifies to turquoise, cerulean, and dark navy. Below the surface, visibility seems to go on forever, providing a clear view of blue crabs, snapping turtles, and schools of sunfish as they go about their day.
Thousands of years ago, mastodon and mammoth drank from the springs that today provide sustenance and habitat for diverse wildlife including the American alligator, Florida deer, cormorant, turtles, and manatees. People—though latecomers in the history of the springs—also depend on the seemingly unlimited supply of fresh water bubbling from the state’s vast
