Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.
Hornsby Spring is located in Camp Kulaqua 1.5 miles north of High Springs. From the
US 441/41 and CR 236 (Main Street) intersection in High Springs, drive north on US 441/41
approximately 1.5 miles to Camp Kulaqua which will be on the east (right) side of the
road. Turn east (right) at Camp Kulaqua sign and follow road approximately 1 mile to
campground entrance. The spring is located inside the campground about 300 ft northwest
of the camp entrance.
Description - Hornsby Spring has a circular spring pool measuring 155 ft north to
south and 147 ft east to west. Its depth at the vent is 34.5 ft. The water is clear and
slightly greenish blue. The spring has an underwater limestone ledge on the north side
under a floating walkway. Algae patches are growing on limestone substrate. The spring
run is approximately 0.9 miles long, 15 ft wide and up to 5 ft deep. It flows generally
westward into the Santa Fe River. During the first FGS visit, the spring was not flowing.
The FGS sampled the spring during a subsequent visit when a small spring boil was visible
near the wooden walkway. This spring is situated on the edge of the lowland floodplain of
the Santa Fe River. The floodplain is forested with cypress, gum, and maple. High ground
on the east side of the spring rises steeply to 6 ft above water level, then gently rises
to approximately 15 ft and is a rolling sand hills terrain. The uplands are open and
grassy. An underwater cave system has been mapped at Hornsby Spring.
Utilization - Hornsby Spring is the central feature of the privately-owned Camp
Kulaqua. The spring is developed into a swimming and recreation area. There are numerous
boardwalks over and around the spring. A slide leads into the spring pool on the north
side. Full facilities are located nearby.