When visiting the creek environment, please remember that most of our creeks receive stormwater that can carry pollutants. Due to their urban environment, most of the creeks have bacteria levels that exceed state standards and could pose a health risk to humans and pets even when the water looks inviting. Please enjoy our creeks from designated trails in our parks.
Overview
Alachua Sink is the area where Sweetwater Branch Creek drains into the Floridan Aquifer. The City of Gainesville, Gainesville Regional Utilities and partners completed a major restoration project to protect the quality of water flowing into the Floridan Aquifer via Alachua Sink. For more information about this project, visit Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project. You can visit Alachua Sink by taking an adventure to Paynes Prairie State Park.
Water quality monitoring information is available for Alachua Sink. To access this data, please visit here and access the monitoring stations and data by clicking on the station on the interactive map.