Radium Springs, located on the outskirts of Albany in Dougherty County, Georgia, is best known as one of the seven wonders of Georgia. The water contains trace amounts of radium; hence, the coined name “Radium Springs.” Before discovering radium in the water in 1925, the site was historically known as “Blue Springs.” A casino was built, which was flooded in the 1990s and demolished in 2003. Today, Radium Springs is a tourist attraction that features a park with a restored terrace, new sidewalks, a casino garden, and gazebos.
Radium Springs was once reported as the largest spring in Georgia, flowing at 70,000 gallons per minute and emptying into the Flint River. Something to note is that the groundwater levels affect if Radium Springs flow or dries out. The water of Radium Springs empties into the Flint River, which flows through a channel in limestone rock above the Floridan Aquifer, creating an extensive underwater cavern system.
In the picture below, Radium Springs flows bright blue waters when Floridan Aquifer levels are high enough.
Comparatively, the picture below shows Radium Springs in 2012 when Georgia was experiencing drought conditions and, in turn, groundwater withdrawals. The flow in Radium Springs stopped due to falling water-table levels in the aquifer supplying water to this spring.
References:
Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, July 8). Radium Springs, Georgia. Wikipedia. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Springs,_Georgia.
USGS. Groundwater levels affect if Radium Springs, GA flows or is dry. From https://www.usgs.gov/media/before-after/groundwater-levels-affect-if-radium-springs-ga-flows-or-dry.
Radium Springs Gardens. Discover Albany GA. (n.d.). From https://visitalbanyga.com/attraction/radium-springs-gardens.