Morrison Spring
Location: Walton County, Florida, United States
Morrison Spring is one of Florida’s thirty-three first magnitude springs, discharging at least 64 million gallons of water per day. Located off the Choctawhatchee River south of Ponce de Leon in Walton County, the spring is widely recognized for its large open basin and historical cave system.
Although a deep cave once extended beyond the cavern zone, access to the deeper section has been blocked for decades.
Geological Context
Structure & Layout
Early Cave Exploration
Closure of the Deep Cave
Regional Significance
Cave Data
Current Status
Geological Context
Morrison Spring discharges from Florida’s karst limestone aquifer into a large, picturesque basin before flowing toward the Choctawhatchee River.
The spring’s magnitude classification reflects its significant and sustained flow. Although the deeper cave is no longer accessible, continued discharge through smaller openings beneath the collapsed section indicates that substantial passage remains beyond the blockage.
Structure & Layout
The spring basin is wide and open, with the primary opening located at the bottom.
- The rim of the opening begins at approximately 25 feet of depth.
- The entrance to the main cavern is located at approximately 45 feet.
- The cavern floor slopes to approximately 99 feet.
The main cavern is large and rounded, inhabited by numerous Florida freshwater eels that are frequently observed along the bottom.
A secondary cavern area extends roughly 50 feet inward before terminating at a large boulder with no continuation beyond.
Early Cave Exploration
Prior to its closure, Morrison Spring contained a deep cave passage extending beyond the cavern.
Sheck Exley explored, mapped, and surveyed the system in its early years, reaching depths of approximately 240 feet before encountering a mud restriction. These dives were conducted on air, prior to the widespread use of Trimix in deep cave exploration.
The cave represented one of the deeper known spring systems in the region during that era.
Closure of the Deep Cave
Following multiple fatalities within the cave system, local authorities intervened. Explosives were reportedly used to collapse portions of the passage, blocking access to the deeper section.
Subsequent structural collapse sealed the cave beyond the cavern zone.
While discharge from the deeper system remains visible in certain areas, attempts to bypass the obstruction have proven unsuccessful due to strong flow and the size of the blockage.
Regional Significance
Morrison Spring remains one of the most historically significant spring sites in the Florida Panhandle.
As a first magnitude spring with documented deep exploration history, it represents both the geological power of the Floridan Aquifer and an important chapter in early Florida cave diving development.
Cave Data
Location: Walton County, Florida
Water Source: Floridan Aquifer
Cave Type: Submerged limestone cave system
Depth Range: 30–100 feet (9–30 meters); a depth of 240 feet (72 meters) was documented prior to the cave being closed off
Water Temperature: ~68°F (20°C)
Geology: Karst limestone
Primary Access: Spring vent
Exploration Status: Partially explored before cave was closed off
Current Status
Today, Morrison Spring is considered a cavern dive rather than an accessible cave system.
Divers can descend to approximately 99 feet within the main chamber. The site remains popular due to:
- Large open basin
- Clear water
- Presence of freshwater eels
- Historical significance
Despite the closure of its deeper cave passage, Morrison Spring remains one of the most visually striking and historically important spring systems in the Florida Panhandle.
Related Systems
Return to Choctawhatchee River Basin Cave Systems
Return to Florida Panhandle Cave Systems
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