Committed to conserve, protect, and restore Florida’s distinctive natural resources and quality of life for future generations.
Before & After Restoration Efforts
Why are Springs Blue?
Next time you’re out at Three Sisters or any other spring, think about how the water you’re swimming through, or paddling on, is rainwater, filtered and cooled through rock, colored by minerals, and reflecting dissolved earth crystals and the blue sky. You’re not only swimming through the water we drink and wash our hands with, but also one of nature’s miracles. No wonder the manatees love it!
Why has Crystal River Become Saltier?
The salinity levels of Crystal River have been rising the past few years largely due to two main factors: acid rain and fertilizer runoff. Acid rain dissolves harmful salts found in concrete, which raise the salinity of freshwater sources, and fertilizer contains many salts which, when over used, can be washed by rain into nearby waterways.
Turbidity and Salinity in Water Quality
While Save Crystal River’s efforts to plant eelgrass does not reduce salinity, the grasses themselves have the capacity to thrive in both saltwater and freshwater. Along with this survival ability, eelgrass helps hold sediment at the bottom of the river floor, which reduces overall turbidity of the water. These traits make eelgrass perfect for restoring Crystal River’s clarity and providing a stable environment for indigenous wildlife.
RESTORE
Our Kings Bay Restoration Project is actively restoring acres of water habitat each year. Our goal: 92.4 acres restored by 2023.
PROTECT
We share how our marine ecosystem must be helped to thrive. We support both marine life and the lives of people who share this resource.
ADVOCATE
We promote science-based approaches to improve Florida waters. We lead efforts to optimize restoration, secure funding, and overcome obstacles to maintaining sustainable aquatic ecosystems.
The Word Around Town
Save Crystal River has been instrumental in raising awareness on improving our water quality and keeping our community winsome for our residents and visitors. We are blessed to have them working with us.
This process of vacuum, clean, plant, and protect is a proven success.The return of grass beds, many species of fish, and the lyngbya-free oxygenated water that attracts them, is an environment that will yield dividends for Citrus County and it’s residents for decades to come.
Save Crystal River’s work is a cross between heavy construction and aquaculture. It’s amazing what they are achieving and the difference it makes to our community.
Save Crystal River provides an outstanding example of how a public-private partnership can accomplish much more than either could alone. This partnership is reclaiming Kings Bay one step at a time.
All I can say is WOW. I live on a portion of the Crystal River that has been very positively impacted by the work completed by SAVE CRYSTAL RIVER. What was once covered in Lyngbya and sludge is now covered in Rock Star eel grass. The water has become much clearer and many different species of fish have returned. I will say it again WOW! Keep up the good work!
I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up on Kings Bay and see the changes happen over the years. This Project initiated by SCR is by far the single most improvement of the Nature Coast. I got to enjoy the water sports and fishing as a kid, and now my family can see what I was lucky enough to enjoy. Thank You SCR!
The work that Save Crystal River is doing in cleaning up our river is wholeheartedly supported by the Chamber. Restoring our waterways is not only the right thing to do from an environmental standpoint, but for economic reasons as well.