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Description:
Located in western Citrus County, next to the town of Crystal River, Florida, the Crystal River NWR was established primarily for the protection of the endangered Florida manatee. The refuge consists of twenty islands and several small parcels of land surrounded by the crystal clear, spring-fed waters of Kings Bay. Crystal River NWR is unique in that it was established specifically for the protection of the endangered West Indian manatee. The refuge aids in preserving Florida's most significant naturally occurring warm water refugium for the manatee and provides critical habitat for approximately twenty 5 percent of the nation's endangered Florida manatee population. Six hundred million gallons of fresh water flow daily from more than thirty natural springs. The temperature of the water flowing from the springs remains a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Manatees, being a tropical species, cannot survive for extended periods when water temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. These warm water springs are essential for manatee survival. Directions:
From either Tampa or St. Petersburg (each about 50 miles south), take highway 19 north, and turn west at Paradise Point Rd. (SunTrust Bank on corner) in town of Crystal River. The road makes a sharp curve to the right and the refuge headquarters office is on the left.
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