Big Spring, has an average daily flow of 286 million gallons of water, (about 470 cubic feet of water per second) making it an awesome sight and a geologic wonder. Underground passages carry water as far as 45 miles away from the Salem Plateau ecoregion to emerge at the spring, carrying dissolved limestone equivalent to 170 tons a day!

The amounts of limestone dissolved and removed by the spring system in one year is estimated to equal a one-mile long cave, 30 feet high and 50 feet wide, however, that amount is dispersed among all parts of the entire karst system. This dissolved rock gives the spring its color and is also carving out a huge conduit underground. Should the spring ever go dry, a huge cave will be the result.

The spring issues from the base of a limestone bluff, churning out aqua-blue water with great force, creating white caps, then quickly calming to a crystal clear stream, then travels about 1,000 feet (300 m) where it adds itself to the Current River. The water and the spring is surrounded by a well maintained park and a steep valley hillside covered in hardwood forest. Big Spring is increasing in size due to the groundwater continuing to dissolve limestone from the vast underground karst system.

Adults: Free

Seniors: Free

Adults: free

Seniors: free

Source: 58°F

Even though the water is alkaline, it is not recommended to drink from this spring because the Salem plateau ecoregion, where the water comes from is a highly cultivated area which uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The rain began during the early predawn hours and continue into the daylight. I drive into Van Buren for coffee and breakfast, then drive to the visitors center to find it closed today, so drive to the river to sit and work on the computer for a short while. I like this campground and the water from Big Springs has a pH of 8.0 making it alkaline. I update my Living Water list of springs and bottled water before leaving for places north at ten am.