Hogeye Sink

It’s February and I’m riding along the trail just south of the turnpike to the Hogeye Sink bridge. At that time of year there is limited vegetation and looking toward the turnpike from the bridge it is easy to see the culvert where the water flows under the turnpike from Lake Okahumpka into Hogeye Sink. On the other side of the bridge I can see the water flow into the lakes of the sink.

 

The word “sink” or “drain” in a place name usually indicates where water drains into the aquifer whereas a “spring” is a source of water from the aquifer. In the Okahumpka Swamp area the aquifer is somewhere between 50 and 130 feet below the surface.

 

But all the science aside, I am fascinated by the appearance that this is a stream to nowhere and head down the recreational path to Marsh Bend Trail to see the other end of the sink.

 

I hop over the fence on Marsh Bend Trail and walk to where I can see the last lake of Hogeye Sink where there is a gauging post with a bird perched atop - the bird may not be there when you visit! There is no flow here as the water drains into the aquifer  .  .  .  .

 

  

  .  .  .  only to reappear at Warm Springs behind the Fenney Recreation Center. Well, some of the water will take this route as the aquifer will acquire water from other sinks and drains and also feed other springs in the area. 

 

For route information click here.