Boiling
Spring Lakes derives its name from the boiling spring that
flows with an incredibly pure stream of water. The city's
centerpiece, the 150-acre "Big Lake", is just one
of more than 50 natural and man-made lakes in the city. The
"Big Lake" (see photos) is fed by five springs and
Allen's Creek, and is 2-1/2 miles long with 10 miles of shoreline.
In
1961, the developers of Boiling Spring Lakes happened upon
a gushing spring concealed in a wooded ravine. Wishing to
beautify the area, a 4-foot high brick wall was built to encompass
this natural phenomenon. Almost before the masons had completed
their work, the spring suddenly stopped running. Within a
few hours, it burst out in a free full flow some 15 feet outside
the wall.
When
the 3-foot wall enclosing the Spring was built, the weight
of the water in the enclosed area resulted in a back pressure
against the Spring so it moved to an easier release point
(downstream). Over time the wall broke allowing the impounded
water to flow (escape). With a lower water level in this area
(less back pressure), the spring returned to its former location,
and it boils today.
Many
years ago, the spring was known as Bouncing Log Spring, in
as much as a large chunk of petrified wood was tossed and
churned in the water gushing up from the ground. Eventually,
there was no longer a log being bounced around by the upward
thrust of groundwater, and the name was changed to the Boiling
Spring. State geologists have calculated that the spring discharges
approximately 43 million gallons of water each day.
The
entire area seems enchanted with tall pines, oaks, and sweet
gums hovering over the spring. In the early spring, damsel
flies of red, green, and blue dart about the area and butterflies
of all colors and descriptions flutter in the thickets. Legend
has it that long ago, Indians would camp around the spring
and hold their council meetings at this site on their annual
trek to the Atlantic Ocean for oysters, fish, and game. They
always drank from the spring, believing whomever drank from
the spring would always return.
This
information was obtained from the Boiling Spring Government
website located at:
www.boilingspringlakes.com
Real
Estate Information!
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information may be subject to errors and should be verified by the listing agent.
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