Morrison Springs

Forecasts for the Choctawhatchee River at Caryville

Improvement Grant for Nature Area Morrison Springs

Below is the plans for Morrison Springs improvements, since this plan was printed, more changes to accommodate divers has been added to improve accessibility to the springs and to provide a place (benches) to set up diving equipment close to the spring. Dist. 1 Commissioner Scott Brannon has ensured me that there will be no charges to dive or swim here that it will remain a public park. E-mail:  brascott@co.walton.fl.us

Walton County has received a $500,000 grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District to make improvements at Morrison Springs located off State Road 81 in eastern Walton County. 
The grant is intended to improve water quality and protect valuable natural resources.
Morrison Springs, a cold-water spring that feeds into the Choctawhatchee River, has long been a popular area for swimming and scuba diving. Because of the natural caves at the bottom of the spring and the clarity of the water, Morrison Springs has been a destination for divers from all over the country. It is also used as an access to the river for boaters and fishermen.
"We have worked very hard to get the necessary funding, so I am very excited to get this project underway," said Dist. 1 Commissioner Scott Brannon. "This project has truly been a team effort and many people have been instrumental in moving forward with these improvements.  This project will allow us to showcase the natural beauty of Walton County's best kept secret." 
Area improvements include:
A concrete boat ramp
Parking area for boat trailers and other vehicles
Road improvements to boat ramp and site main entrance
Parking areas paved
Spring upgraded for swimming and diving
The project includes a raised, timber boardwalk to the spring.  The boardwalk will begin at the parking area and go to the swim area, around the wetlands adjacent to the spring and to an observation deck over the boiling spring. 
Walton County also received a $300,000 Florida Boating Improvement Program grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help build a concrete boat launch directly into the Choctawhatchee River.
The county has plans to pursue other funding through the Springs Initiative, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 
Future improvements include: Educational pavilion, Restrooms and showers, Playground, and Nature trails.

The spring is a 250-foot-diameter pool surrounded by cypress swamp and a thickly wooded floodplain. The small beach itself shows the remains of cypress stumps from when the area was timbered. The water is very blue and clear, with excellent visibility, except in times of high water. The water temperature is between 67 - 70 degrees. As you snorkel out to the vent in the middle of the basin, you pass over a dive platform that is about 15 feet deep. Scuba divers congregate here before they enter the cave. The cave entrance has a large cypress log across it, the log is at a depth of 25-30 feet, and the cave entrance is another 60 feet further down. According to accounts, the cave extends over 300 feet deep. The 150-foot wide run flows for about a mile before joining the Choctawhatchee River.

Directions
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Morrison Spring is south of I-10 off exit 15. Go south 3.6 miles and turn left on State Road 81. Turn left (east) on County Road 181. Drive 1.6 miles and turn right onto Morrison Springs Road. You will soon come to a fork in the road. Keep left and proceed to the spring. Small signs for Morrison Springs are posted at each turn.