Maramec Spring
Maramec Spring is located on the Meramec River near St. James in the east-central Ozarks of Missouri. The fifth largest spring in the state with an average discharge of of water per second, it is part of a Karst topographical area, with many springs and caves. The spring and 1800 acres (7.28 km²) are owned by the James Foundation, which maintains the area as a public park, donated by Lucy Wortham James. The Missouri Department of Conservation operates a trout hatchery and fishery at the spring. Ruins of the Maramec Iron Works are still visible at the site; its machinery was partly powered by the spring's waterflow. The spring was declared a National Natural Landmark in October 1971. Description The spring's daily discharge averages nearly 100 million gallons (363 million liters). The history of the spring and the iron works is explained in a museum operated by the James Foundation at the site. Another museum in the park features agricultural tools utilized in the area over the years. The park contains a drive that offers a glimpse into the life in the area while the iron works were operating. It includes a scenic overview of the park, a cemetery which