Treehouse Spring is located in a round section on the southeast side of the Santa Fe River. It is only accessible by boat. It is approximately 2 miles north of High Springs.
Treehouse Spring was once a first magnitude spring.
It was one of many first magnitude springs along the Santa Fe River which stopped flowing. The springs are being damaged because too much water is being pumped out of the aquifer.
Treehouse Spring, and the Santa Fe River are both vulnerable to high levels of nitrate pollution. Nitrate pollution comes from from nearby industrial agriculture facilities and septic tank discharge. The Santa Fe River and local springs are affected by algae and an invasive exotic water plant called water hyacinth.
Treehouse Spring is designated as an Outstanding Florida Spring, meaning that it is a valuable, irreplaceable and unique natural resource which should be protected.
The spring’s water may be either clear or tannic, depending on current water flow conditions. Tannins are natural, organic chemicals found in many plants. Tannins also found in natural tea leaves, which is what gives tea its light brown coloring.
The spring is a local swimming spot. There may be a rope swing on the east side of the spring. The spring flows westward into the river.
The land surrounding this spring is privately owned. The land is natural and is not developed.
The spring pool diameter measures 125 ft north to south and 175 ft east to west. The spring pool is 31 ft deep when measured over the vent.
There is an underwater cave system inside and under Treehouse Spring. It is said to be connected to Darby and Hornsby Springs via the underwater cave systems. Both springs are very close, and are just to the west. The cave system is also said to be connected to O’leno State Park and River Rise.
Land adjacent to this spring is lowland river floodplain. It is heavily forested with pines and hardwood.
Treehouse Spring is also known as ALA112971.