Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.
From the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, drive south on US 19/98 5.8 miles. Turn west
(right) on CR 480 and drive approximately 1.8 miles to the public boat access area on the Chassahowitzka
River. Launch boat and head down river approximately 3.5 miles to the confluence with Ryle Creek. Ryles
Spring is located approximately 1.3 miles up Ryle Creek.
Description - Ryles Spring discharges from a small, narrow orifice in limestone measuring approximately
2 ft in diameter. A spring boil is present over the vent. The spring pool around the vent measures 40 ft in
diameter. Depth directly over the vent is estimated at 20 ft; however, the rest of the spring pool averages
2-3 ft deep. The water was slightly turbid and tea colored in March 2003. Ryles Spring is at the head of Ryle
Creek, which meanders approximately 1.4 miles northwest through open brackish and salt marsh on its way to the
lower Chassahowitzka River. Ryle Creek is sand and mud bottomed, with occasional exposed limestone. The spring
is situated at the tree line boundary between vast open salt marsh and palm-hardwood-cedar hammock on the west
side of the Chassahowitzka Swamp.