CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — The Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River will close from Saturday, April 1 - through November 2023 for a Canal Stabilization Project.
It's a place so clear and fresh, it's almost magical. It's where manatees thrive and people can explore the cool waters of Kings Bay.
Southwest Florida Water Management District told us 65,035 people checked in through the visiting center during manatee season which is November-March and nearly 40,000 people during the summer seaon.
According to Three Springs' website, the project will help restore the habitat, including the critical manatee habitat as well as prevent sediment erosion into the spring.
The spring run entrance will be closed to kayaks and swimming during construction. Land-based visitation will also be suspended.
"Because the shorelines are eroding, the bank has become unstable and some trees have fallen. And, if you go to the spring area... You can actually see up underneath the bank at low tide. Well, that can cause the bank to fall in," Lizanne Garcia, project manager with SWFWMD, said.
Garcia said this 1.1 million dollar project has been in the works for a few years.
"The longer we wait the more the area erodes, the more potential there is for sedimentation into the spring area and the springs are known for being clear, beautiful water," Garcia explainied.
She said the closure is necessary to protect the public from conflicts with the construction.
The water construction will not be done during manatee season to protect the designated Manatee refugee areas.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services said 2022 had the highest number of manatees ever recorded in citrus county waters with 1,333 manatees and a total of 1,016 in Kings Bay alone.
"It will impact us you know, we'll have slower business. We will lose some hours. We'll have less pay to take home... So in order to really kind of buffet our impact from the closure of three sisters, we're really encouraging folks to explore other areas that may be just as beautiful. Gloria Witkus, Hunter Springs Kayaks, said.
Witkus encourages everyone to explore the trails in the area and other parts of Kings Bay even after the springs re-open to help lessen the impact and keep the entire area beautiful.
"Come see us. We have a lot to share with you besides three sisters," Witkus said.
For more information about the Canal Stabilization Project, CLICK HERE.
