Is Big Spring the Biggest Spring?

Ozark National Scenic Riverways in southeast Missouri is the first national park area to protect a river system — 134 miles of free-flowing, spring-fed waterways through a karst landscape of caves, springs and sinkholes.

Water wearing down soluble limestone and dolomite creates these karst features, including the park site’s 300 caves. The Current and Jacks Fork rivers make up the protected river system — popular for its canoeing, tubing and fishing — and more than 90% of their flow comes from seven major springs and hundreds of smaller springs. Some of that clear, cold water moves underground great distances before rising to the surface.

Among those springs is, perhaps, the country’s biggest: the aptly named Big Spring. The National Park Service says two others vie for that title, as well — Idaho’s Snake River Spring Complex and Florida’s Silver Spring. But only Big Spring is within the National Park System. Local rainfall portends which of the three has the greatest flow on any given day, so blame this competition’s outcome on the weather.

The Park System, however, features other large springs. Giant Springs, along the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail in Montana, is another cool-temperature spring considered among the largest freshwater springs in the country.

Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park spreads 200-330 feet in diameter and is more than 120 feet deep, making it Yellowstone’s largest hot spring. Unlike the cool waters found in the Ozarks, this pool of hydrothermally heated water reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas boasts 47 springs and a 143-degree water temperature. Even though the federally protected landscape spawned a once-thriving industry of bathhouses advertising healing waters, these springs don’t produce as much water as found at Big Spring.

Regarding water delivered each day, Big Spring rises to the top (pun intended!). Big Spring’s output averages 293 million gallons of water daily, according to latest figures. Equally impressive is the spring’s “boil” seen at the surface, created as the water rises through a jumble of large boulders.

Comparatively, Giant Springs flows at 156 million gallons of water per day. Grand Prismatic Spring discharges about 806,400 gallons per day (560 gallons each minute, according to the park). Hot Springs produces 1 million gallons of water each day, with its springs mostly concealed by caps attached to a collection system to protect the water’s purity.

Other intriguing Big Spring facts: Its water travels from as far away as 45 to 50 miles through underground passages before coming to the surface. Because it carves its way through underground sedimentary rock, the water carries tons of dissolved limestone and dolomite. The resulting mineral content gives Big Spring its striking blue color.

Big Spring’s flow, chemistry and temperature create an ideal habitat for species such as the aquatic snail, mayfly, watercress and water buttercups.

Visitors can drive up to Big Spring, which is near Van Buren, Missouri. The spring was part of a state park until 1972. A wheelchair accessible walkway leads from the parking area to the spring. Nearby are a campground, picnic area, restrooms and trails, as well as Civilian Conservation Corps-era cabins and a lodge, which the Park Service has been restoring.

Established in 1964, Ozark National Scenic Riverways inspired the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, which preserves certain rivers with natural, cultural and recreational values. There are now 228 rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Learn more about the Ozark park site and its many places to see and things to do.