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'Fountain Of Youth' Memories Bubble In Bay
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Published: January 5, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - Not far from where the Tampa Bay Rays hope to build a new ballpark, something is bubbling to the surface.
It is water from beneath Tampa Bay, boiling up from an abandoned artesian well that once drew tourists to St. Petersburg's "fountain of youth."
Also bubbling up is concern among some community activists who question whether the stadium plan threatens a piece of St. Petersburg's history and the marine life it attracts with its warm, fresh flow.
The well has been forgotten, then remembered, then forgotten again in the 100 years since it probably was drilled. The well lies east of the sea wall near Al Lang Field, about 600 feet - or the length of two football fields - into the Bay.
Al Lang Field is the Rays' downtown spring training field and the place on which they hope to pin their future with a $450 million waterfront ballpark to replace Tropicana Field by 2012. The proposal calls for creating new land by dumping fill dirt into Tampa Bay and re-routing Bayshore Drive over it.
"I think for anyone who has any environmental leanings or concerns, dredge-and-fill sends shivers up your spine," said Lorraine Margeson, a St. Petersburg environmental activist who is mustering opposition to the stadium plan.
Rays officials said they only recently learned of the underwater well and its role as a gathering spot for marine life including manatees.
"I'm not sure that well is in the area we're planning on filling in," said Michael Kalt, senior vice president of development and business affairs for the Rays. "We haven't seen any manatees congregating in the area we're looking to fill, but we obviously need to conduct more studies."
Any potential environmental damage would be minimal and addressed "by whatever mitigation solutions are proposed, either by us or the regulatory agencies," Kalt said.
'A Conspicuous Boil'
The Rays' environmental consultant, HDR, is scheduled to meet with the Southwest Florida Water Management District on Thursday about its fill proposal, said Robyn Hanke, media relations manager for the Brooksville-based agency.
The water district investigated the artesian well in 2002. A report says divers located the source of "a conspicuous boil" on the water's surface in the south basin of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
They determined the discharge came from an abandoned artesian well drilled at the end of a pier and still flowing, according to the report. They spotted a 4-inch diameter pipe protruding about three feet from the bottom, at a depth of about 13 feet.
The water flowing from the pipe originates in the Upper Floridan Aquifer, the region's primary drinking water source, about 150 feet to 250 feet below the surface.
Because the water flowing from the well is saltier than the aquifer's fresher groundwater, the water district has never pursued capping it, Hanke said.
"It's not impacting groundwater resources because it's brackish water," she said. "And it seems to serve a beneficial purpose for the manatees that congregate around the well."
Manatees likely are attracted to the well for its fresher water as well as its warmth. Its temperature is about 80 degrees, about 12 degrees warmer than the surrounding waters of the Bay.
Artesian wells are found throughout Florida. The water comes from an aquifer where it is under so much pressure it is pushed up and onto the surface.
Evoking 'Fountain Of Youth'
The well that was the source of St. Petersburg's fountain of youth was drilled by one of the city's founders, E.H. Tomlinson, at the turn of the century, according to the archives of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
Tomlinson built a long pier with a fishing house at the end, drilling a well to provide fresh water. The pier later was sold and turned into a tourist attraction, which evoked Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in marketing the well's sulphur water for its purported health benefits.
"That is what was originally referred to as the fountain of youth, which is long gone," Hanke said. "As far as it being protected because of some kind of historical status, that's not really the case."
The plan for filling in part of the Bay doesn't appear as if it would pose any detrimental effects on the thermal refuge the well provides for manatees in winter, Hanke said.
"It doesn't seem to be in the area where they're proposing to dredge and fill at all," she said.
The plan, though, likely would alter seagrass beds that Hanke said grow along the sea wall where the Bay would be filled. The Rays would have to replace any seagrass areas lost to the project because they serve as nurseries and food sources for marine life.
There is no designated manatee-protection zone in the area of the artesian well, said Scott Calleson, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Tallahassee.
The commission is expected to review the Rays' pending dredge-and-fill application for any potential effects on manatee habitat in the area, Calleson said.
"I haven't heard anything specifically about this project, but we would typically comment on it as it gets into permitting," said Calleson, adding the agency would look at potential effects on species listed with the state as endangered or threatened.
Two University of South Florida graduate students, Melanie Peters and Kelley Anderson, have dived at the well site twice since mid-December, collecting water samples and taking underwater photos and video footage.
The dives were arranged by Margeson, the environmental activist, who said she recalled mention of the well in the area while on a tour of Tampa Bay several years ago.
"We were pretty excited," Peters said. "It was definitely interesting. Just the warmth of the water right around there is probably the most shocking thing. But it's not too fantastic. It's just a really neat little well."
Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( Humble ) on January 5, 2008 at 3:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
We should recall Joni Mitchell's song
BIG YELLOW TAXIE, when thinking
of an the unnecessary stadium....
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
And I'm not even a tree hugger!
Humble
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Posted by ( starranger ) on January 5, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't think this is the right place for a stadium but my reasons are economic. Put the stadium somewhere near the center of population and maybe the Rays will start drawing people to their games.
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Posted by ( brandysdad ) on January 5, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The Ray's do not deserve a new stadium . . .
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Posted by ( notsosmart ) on January 5, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let's ask Commissioner Ronnie Duncan if a stadium is going in before he forgets!
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Posted by ( Marco ) on January 5, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with brandysdad, no need for a new stadium. Can't fill the seats in the one they use now. I am not sure I agree (in total) with staranger's observation. One thing key to drawing more fans is to put a quality product on the field. I don't see that happening. Why don't see about leasing Legends Field? With a seating capacity of about 10K, maybe they would have a sell out every now and then? (Its a joke people, don't get hyper).
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Posted by ( raysfan ) on January 5, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
As you can tell by my user name, I'm a huge fan of our team, but I'm also a member of the Sierra Club and I'm making a plea to any and all Sierra Club members out there to oppose this stadium project. It was a horrible idea from the beginning and now it's even worse. We have to respect our environment, and we have a perfectly good stadium now. Stu claims it's getting too expensive to maintain the Trop, yet he says he can afford to spend over 150 mil to build a new one. Spend that money to keep the Trop going and in the process, protect nature.
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Posted by ( Oops ) on January 5, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
When this civilization finally collapses under the weight of greed, ignorance and avarice, we'll have plenty of empty stadiums in which to seek shelter from the marauding bands of invaders. We don't need one more.
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Posted by ( KennyT ) on January 5, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No stadium should ever have been built downtown. The one we have now should have been out by the dog track. We've not been to a game, and won't be in the future, where it's located now.
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Posted by ( maxfl1 ) on January 5, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Uh oh! Here come the environmental wackos. You can forget building a stadium there now that the cat's out of the bag. But, I am of the opinion this has been their plan all along. First, plant the seed that we need a new stadium (which is true). Second, let's pick a place that we know would probably be an environmental problem. Third, since they won't let us build there, let's go inland where we can get some stinkin' people to show up. Their end game - and who can blame them. The decision to locate in St. Pete was a dumb one in the first place. Okay, back to my coffee. Taste mighty fine this am.
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Posted by ( Soonethanlater ) on January 5, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
waste of taxpayer money on a crappy team
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Posted by ( Marco ) on January 5, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let me say I am NOT a member of the Sierra Club. They are too cozy with the Earth Liberation Front and EarthFirst! but I do hate to see paving over/developing the particular site recommended. Why not do what Baltimore did and demolish/redevelop urban blight. And also have adquate parking and public transportation!
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Posted by ( Ripcurl101 ) on January 5, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
are you kidding? St Pete is one of the most beautiful cities left around due to it's naturalness and bayside apeal. Are they going to mess that up with a stadium. Really.. Is a mile down the road really going to bring more people or success to the team? I thought the new name and uniforms was suppose to do that.. (it's a Joke) I agree with RaysFan if it's getting too expensive to maintain the Trop, yet they can afford 150mil on a new one while destroying nature in the process this just doesn't get my vote. I say leave St Pete's Bay alone and look for other options. please don't kill the fishies
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Posted by ( JohnPublic ) on January 5, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Absolutely ridiculous. We are going to tear down a stadium that Dimaggio, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays played at and put up a disgusting eyesore. The bigger question here though is why we are drinking their Kool Aid. We are being killed by high taxes and astronomical insurance rates and they want to add another 500 million to the fire. Wake the hell up people.
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Posted by ( 5thGenTampaBay ) on January 5, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
what environmental impact? it was not an env story yesterday, and it isnt one today. the only env story that may exist is in the fact that there is a man-made well pumping aquifer resources into Tampa Bay. i cant imagine how adding dirt 600 feet away from an artesian well, that is surrounded by a marina, an airport and man-made shoals (that have changed the natural water flow such that is is more-than-likely a silt-ridden mucky-bottom basin) will have any detrimental affect. i.e. you cant ruin what is already ruined.
"oh but the fish are attracted to the warmer water..." pffft... please, how did those fish get by for the millions of years previous? if anything, man changed how the fish move in and out of areas by changing that part of Tampa Bay.
as far as im concerned, Pinellas County is already an environmental wasteland. But, if you are an "environmentalist", you have bigger issues to deal with in that area of Tampa Bay more so than dirt 600 feet from this well.
I, for one, do not go to Rays games because they are in a dome. it is sacrilege to play baseball indoors, and Tropicana Field is an eyesore... i know, i drive by it everyday (twice). an open-air field is best located on the water for a little relief from the hotter nights... misters would be nice too :) St. Pete is doing what it can to continue developing Downtown, and it will help... but, i will not argue who should pay for it, where it should actually be located, etc. becasue i don't live there, but i do believe it is good for the economy wherever it is built.
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Posted by ( langolier33611 ) on January 5, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
raysfan and opps, how right you both are. Facts: The Rays do not own Tropicana field, the taxpayers do. So why should the proceeds of the sale of it go to the Rays? Secondly, they are a loosing team which refuses to give money to its players, thus providing us with sub par players who cannot do the job. Thirdly, why does a private business think we, the taxpayers have to provide them with a stadium? Why not make a pact with Burger King to built their next 100 outlets and let them occupy them at our expense? None of the old time baseball teams, the BoSox, Cubbies, etc built and maintain their own stadiums for over 100 years. Now the Rays owners are trying to scam us by asking the taxpayers, once again to build them a nice house to play in. And I use the word play lightly as baseball has become a business, not a game. Hey, I want to start a business which will cost me over one million dollars to build a site, can I get help with this one. I think we all know what the answer to that question is.
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Posted by ( radio_car ) on January 5, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How is moving the stadium a couple miles east going to fill it up seats? Also consider where are you going to park? Placing homes on the present site is a wonderful political idea. Does anyone remember the property was a gas plant and all the sick workers after construction? Kill some families , that should be good for reelection. That rates right up there with homes on the Toy Town dump site.
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Posted by ( Soonethanlater ) on January 5, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
5thGenTampaBay - you are an idiot. A.playing baseball indoors is not sacrilege and B. How would it be good for the economy? Yes taxing the citizens is really going to give them extra spending money to go to a Rays game.
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Posted by ( tballinger ) on January 5, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
With all of these comments aside (some good and some dumb), I only have one comment. Who the hell wants to sit out of doors on a hot, steamy Florida afternoon or evening and watch a losing baseball team?
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Posted by ( Say_So ) on January 5, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Instead of spending the money for impact studies to build this thing, why not spend that money on determining a better way to spend 450 Million dollars! What a waste of 450 million dollars!
If you still have to build it at least put it on the Tampa side where more people would use it!
Fool$ and their money.....!!! Idiot$
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Posted by ( raysfan ) on January 5, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
5th Gen. - I go to almost every Rays game and just standing outside waiting to get into the dome is a torture heat-wise. A few years ago, one of our ushers passed out from the heat during a spring training game in MARCH. July and August are even worse, you know that if you're truly a 5th Gen TampaBay. And to Marco - The Sierra Club has done some great things for our environment and lately it needs all the help anyone can do for it. And a huge thank-you to RipCurl for your post.
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Posted by ( 5thGenTampaBay ) on January 6, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
it is good for the economy because of the money it brings to the area which creates even more tax revenue that in-turn essentially gives you a positive return on your money spent for gov't services. i know that probably doesnt make sense to you since i speak "idiot", but trust me, done properly your initial investment of $1 can reap you >>$1 in benefits for infrastructure, schools, and all those things you already pay for... You see, the trick that Florida has had figured out for years is to let someone else pay for it... they termed it "Tourism".
So, you build the stadium for $1 of your tax money and i will come spend $10 of tax money in your county, that can be used for things for which your $1 would have otherwise been used. IF-AND-ONLY-IF you build it outdoors on the bay... otherwise i will continue to drive by that POS structure formerly known as the "Thunder Dome" (that nobody wanted either).
the heat is a fact of life... i deal with it at USF and Bucs games already (we use beer, misting-fans and water mostly). i have no problem stopping on the way home from work, changing into a pair of shorts and t-shirt, kicking back and watching a game... i actually look forward to it as i think about it.
houses? pfft... that is no place for family housing. that will be an interesting development to see take place.
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Posted by ( raysfan ) on January 6, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Need I remind 5th Gen. that your Bucs and USF games are mostly held in the FALL and WINTER???? Not in June thru Aug. Ok your idea to cool off is drinking beer for an example? So that would mean fans drinking even more beer to try to keep re-hydrated. Hmmmm, that's a wonderful idea ---- NOT. Alcohol DE-hydrates you and last time I checked it can and does impair your driving ability. Yeah, I'll go home at 11 PM with a bunch of drunk fans leaving the game weaving through downtown traffic trying to find their way onto the interstate. And if you don't want to go to a Rays game because it's indoors, then I guess you don't even watch any sports games on TV either because most TV's are indoors????
Yeah, you're an idiot.
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