Lexicon

Florida Springs Glossary

Shared language for boils, runs, karst windows, and forest edges—so every larklin article reads as one connected guidebook.

Spring Boil

The visible upwelling where aquifer water rises into a basin, often agitating sand into soft clouds. Related reading: crystal springs.

The stream flowing away from a boil. Classic example: the Ichetucknee corridor in Ichetucknee journey.

Landscape shaped by dissolving limestone, creating caves, sinks, and spring windows that define Florida’s clear-water geology.

A hardwood forest island on slightly higher ground within wetter terrain—often flanking spring parks and boardwalks.

Tea-colored water stained by plant tannins from surrounding forests. Clarity and color are not the same measurement.

Pale rock ledges visible beneath clear basins and runs; part of the limestone-depth story in Rainbow and Silver chapters.

Woody projections from cypress root systems along flooded edges. See cypress forests.

Cooler months when manatees gather in warm springs. Ethics and tips: wildlife and manatees.

Term	Looks Like	Traveler Implication
Spring boil	Upwelling sand / glass basin	Protect vents; watch footing rules
Spring run	Linear clear corridor	Ideal for paddles with shuttle plans
Tannic creek	Tea-brown forest water	May still be deep; clarity reduced
Boardwalk	Wood path over wet ground	Stay on structure; roots stay intact
Approved launch	Signed put-in	Only legal start for many paddles

Use this lexicon while planning the five-day springs route or choosing a paddle from kayaking clear water. Color storytelling for Rainbow appears in Rainbow & Silver Springs.

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