SPRINGS OF MISSOURI AND THE OZARK MOUNTAINS

The Missouri Ozarks comprises one of the nation's greatest concentrations of springs. In an average day more than a billion gallons of water flow from the ten largest springs in Missouri. There are more than 1,100 springs currently on record, however, many springs in the Ozarks still remain unrecorded, unmeasured, and unsampled.

Missouri Plateaus-Salem has the most caves and springs

Missouri springs are somewhat unique since they occur mainly in dolomite, not limestone—we have the largest number of large springs in dolomite anywhere in the United States. It's said our springs dissolve and move about 175 tons of limestone daily.

The principal spring region of Missouri is the Ozarks mountains. It’s an area characterized by deep, narrow valleys and sharp ridges in the eastern part—the Salem Plateau—and a gently rolling landscape in the western part—the Springfield Plateau.

While there are many springs within the Springfield Plateau, they’re not as large or as plentiful as the springs in the Salem Plateau.  The Salem Plateau has geologic formations that are capable of storing as well as transmitting large quantities of water through various spring outlets and the Ozarks have the highest sustained flows in the state.

Big Springs, Van Buren, Missouri

There are at least 10 first magnitude springs located in Missouri. First magnitude is a term applied to those springs that discharge a 100 cubic feet a second. One of the largest first magnitude springs in the nation (some sources say in the world) is Big Springs, located in Van Buren, Missouri. Big Springs discharges about 250-300 million gallons of water a day into the Current River. To give you an idea of how much water that is, think about the size of professional football stadium. Big Springs discharges enough water to fill that stadium every single day.

Greer Springs

The second largest spring in Missouri is Greer Springs which discharges 360 cubic feet a second—that’s 214 million gallons a day. It is a the site of the first gristmill on the spring branch, by Captain Samuel Greer. The old mill still stands as a piece of history.

Both springs have wilderness areas along with camping, fishing, cabins or lodges. If you like to canoe or do float trips (which I can personally tell you are fabulous) both are wonderful ways to enjoy the wild scenery on a hot summer day. There are miles of hiking trails. Both are incredible places to visit.

Boiling Springs. You can see the water 'boiling'.

The closest spring from my house, located on the Salem Plateau, is 10 miles away and is called Boiling Springs. The name is apt because the surface of this spring appears to boil. Don’t be fooled, it’s icy cold about 58 degrees. Further down the river (Big Piney River) is our favorite swimming area. Boiling Springs only puts out about 12 million gallons of water a day. So it’s small in comparison to Big Springs and Greer, but is 14^th largest spring in Missouri. The former is about 3 hours from me and the latter is about an hour. Because Boiling Springs is so close we don’t think about the amenities but there are several places along the river for camping (both campgrounds and primitive camping) canoeing and float trips. Big Piney river has some great fishing if you enjoy that activity and my family does. 

Favorite swimming area on Big Piney River, near Boiling Springs. There is a very thick rope on the tree across the way to jump into the river, which is very deep over there. The shallows on this side are warmed by the sun and it's fun to sit in and watch swimmers jumping. If you sit still small fish will come up and investigate your feet. The water is refreshing on a hot summer day. When I'm tired of swimming I sit in a lawn chair in the sand and snooze or read. Further down the river, away from the swimming, has some great fishing.You can also harvest quite a number of crayfish to add to dinner.

  

Missouri springs are located in one of the most scenic sections in the nation.  Our springs are considered to be one of Missouri’s most important natural assets and are well protected and visited by hundreds of thousands of tourist and sportsmen each year.

Photos: Missouri Dept Conservation and personal