Explore Big Spring: One of the Largest Springs in the World

Summary

Big Spring in Missouri, the largest spring in the Ozarks, is one of the world's largest springs, with an average daily discharge of 276 million gallons and a constant temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract

Big Spring, located in the Ozark region of Missouri, is renowned as one of the largest springs globally, with an impressive average daily water discharge of 276 million gallons. Managed by the National Park Services, this natural wonder is a significant tributary of the Current River and is situated within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, approximately four miles from Van Buren. The spring emerges from a limestone bluff and is part of a karst landscape, contributing to its size due to the dissolution of limestone. Big Spring's water temperature remains consistently at 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and its discharge volume is so substantial that it ranks among the world's largest springs. Historical records indicate that the spring was once a state park and was later developed during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps before becoming part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in 1972.

Opinions

The author suggests that Big Spring's status as the largest spring in the Missouri Ozarks contributes to its significance and popularity.
The author implies that the spring's inclusion in the Big Spring Historic District and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places adds to its cultural and historical importance.
The mention of the dye-trace study and the distance the dye traveled before resurfacing at Big Spring underscores the author's view of the spring's vast underground water system.
By comparing Big Spring to other large springs in the United States, the author acknowledges the ongoing discussion about which spring holds the title of America's largest.
The author expresses admiration for Missouri's natural wonders, noting the state's impressive count of 4,400 springs and the fascinating journey of water through sinkholes

Located in the Ozark region of Missouri

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Big Spring is the largest spring in Missouri and one of the largest in the world. The springs have a “daily discharge of 276 million gallons on average.” Big Spring is inside the boundaries of Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and about four miles from Van Buren, Missouri.

The National Park Services manages the visitor facilities. Big Spring is part of the Big Spring Historic District which became listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Big Spring is the second-largest tributary of the Current River which starts at the southeastern part of the Ozarks. It’s definitely the largest spring in the highland region known as the Ozark Plateau. There are two other springs in the Ozark area that come close to Big Spring. One is Greer Spring and the other is Mammoth Spring.

Where does the spring start?

The spring starts out from the base of a limestone bluff at a pretty good force and travels until it meets the Current River. As the groundwater dissolves limestone, Big Spring gets larger. The limestone is dissolved in a karst system. A karst is an area of land that’s made up of limestone.

The amount of spring water that’s discharged daily is around 286 million gallons. The temperature o the water is 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The amount of cool water that gets discharged makes it believable that it’s one of the largest springs in the world.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, there was a dye-trace study performed. Some dye was put into a losing stream, which is a stream (or river) that loses water as it’s flowing downstream. When the study was performed, the dye was detected 16 days later at Big Spring. “The spring is at least 80 feet deep based on research dives.” According to the See the Ozarks website, this is supposed to be the longest-distance groundwater trace in the United States.

Spring branch from Big Spring in Missouri flowing toward the Current River. Photo by Hillbilly2008, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

In 1925, the area of Big Spring became a state park. During the Depression, the area was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1972, it became part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

The Big Spring is sometimes called America’s biggest spring. In reality there are three contenders for that title: Big Spring, Idaho’s Snake River Spring Complex and Florida’s Silver Spring. (Source.)

According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri has 4,400 springs. It’s interesting how when water enters a sinkhole, it can travel underground for more than 30 miles and resurface at a spring. That’s amazing.

Thanks for reading!

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