Three Sisters Natural Springs

Three Sisters Springs is a grouping of three springs with vents and sand boils that feed nearby Kings Bay, the headwaters of Crystal River, in Citrus County, Florida. These springs are one of the most important natural warm water refuges for the endangered Florida manatee. The average depth of the Springs is 5 m / 16.4 ft with a maximum depth of 9 m / 29.5 ft.

Kings Bay and the Three Sisters Springs attract boaters, recreational scuba divers, snorkelers, and swimmers, many of whom want that up close and personal experience with manatees.Three Sisters Springs is a beautiful, natural body of water that stays around 72 degrees year round. It is a perfect place to snorkel or scuba dive and to take under water photos of fish and underwater vegetation. The color is crystal blue with shades of emerald green and has beautiful visibility. I have spent some time at these springs and it is mesmerizing. The mouth of the Three Sisters Springs is blocked by concrete posts to prevent boat access; only swimmers, canoes, and kayaks can enter the spring’s area. The land around the springs is private and homes have been built along the channels and have access to King's Bay. If you bring a kayak or canoe into the Three Sisters Springs area, it is important to not tie your boat off on the surrounding private land, but to use some underwater vegetation instead such as a tree branch.

At one time, Three Sisters Springs was used by Jacques Cousteau to help rehabilitate "Sewer Sam," a manatee that became trapped in a Miami sewer system and was then rescued. Cousteau, his crew and volunteers kept Sam in Three Sisters Springs until the manatee adjusted to the area. Upon release, Sewer Sam swam out into Kings Bay, where he joined a group of manatees.

Unfortunately, the Three Sisters Springs property is in danger of being developed.

The current owners of the Three Sisters Springs property have plans to develop the 57 acres of land adjacent to the Three Sisters Springs. This development would include the building of residences and multi-family homes as well as possibly extracting the spring water for bottling. The owners have also stated that they would be willing to sell the property for the right price and, in particular, are looking for it to be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was initially established solely for the protection of the Florida manatee.

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1983 specifically for the protection of the endangered West Indian Manatee. This unique refuge preserves the last unspoiled and undeveloped habitat in Kings Bay, which forms the headwaters of the Crystal River. The refuge preserves the warm water spring havens, which provide critical habitat for the manatee populations that migrate to these waters each winter.

Recently, the Crystal River City Council has taken steps to bring Three Sisters Springs into public ownership and to be managed by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.