Springs of the Ozarks

There are multiple map layers organized by river basins. Because Google Maps has a ten-layer limit, some regions have been combined.

You can toggle the layers by clicking on the icon on the upper left corner. You can view the larger map by clicking on the icon on the upper right corner.

Suggestions and corrections may be submitted here.

Respect people. Respect the land. Leave no trace.


Map legend

  • Teal: springs I’ve visited
  • Violet: springs I haven’t visited whose access status is as yet undetermined by me. Unless I firmly know otherwise, I assume that these spring outlets are located on private property (which is why most springs include this note: Spring outlet assumed to be on private property.). Do your own research. My research should be considered a starting point and not permission.
  • Orange: springs I haven’t visited that are public or public-ish
  • X, any color: spring outlets assumed or confirmed to be located on private (not public) property. Do your research first. Ask permission and observe limits.

Map review status

  • In November 2023, I used data from onX to refine what’s visible on the map. Nearly every spring outlet that is clearly on private property has been removed from public view.

Some data sources

FAQ

  • This looks like a lot of work! Yet I started the map a while ago (see here for an older version). A spring here, a spring there, and here we are.

Kudos and praise to all of the scientists and their friends who collected and refined the data presented in this map. What a way to spend one’s time on our beautiful planet!

In The Large Springs of Missouri (Beckman and Hinchey 1944), there is a map of the large springs of Missouri. You can find some scanned versions of it here, and there’s one of the map at the first link which is quite nice.

On Flickr