Volunteers in Citrus County have been working to get a river cleaned out, one that wasn't even visible just months before.

  • Homosassa couple uncovered spring on purchased property
  • Decades of debris on property stopped spring from pumping
  • Volunteers have helped clear path from spring to the Halls River

Two years ago, Craig Shatto and his wife Cindy purchased property off U.S. 19 in Homosassa to build a restaurant, Green House Bistro and Venue. The land used to be filled with old cars and tires.

Last year, the couple hired a harvester to rid the property of invasive plants. The harvester's efforts led to a very unexpected discovery -- water.

“Nobody knew for probably 40-50 years at that point that there was even water here, let alone a spring and a river," said Craig Shatto. “[The harvesting] opened up the water, then we were able to get volunteers over the last year, we've been in the water cleaning with groups."

Over the past six months volunteers have been able to clear a path that had been closed for decades.

“That trail leads to the Halls River that ultimately leads to the Homosassa River which then leads to the Gulf of Mexico," said Gary Bartell, Vice President of Visit Homosassa Inc.

They also discovered a spring that was no longer pumping. Recently, however, as the clean-up has progressed, the water is starting to move again.

“If we do our job to keep the spring pumping and keep it up and assist the ecosystem, then the rocks will not end back up in the spring," said Bartell.

All the while, volunteers have been finding little bits of history.



“We located what we think is the old mail boat that used to deliver to all the island homes," said Bartell.

Also among those little bits: parts of a railroad that used to run through the area.

“We just pulled up this morning an old railroad tie," said Bartell.

In total, the group estimates they've pulled out about two tons of debris. There's still more work to be done, but Art Jones, president of One Rake at a Time, told us there's a very worthwhile goal at the end of all that work.

“I always tell people the beautiful thing is that those white sand bottoms are still there," said Jones. "You just have to uncover them."

To volunteer or to find out more information about the debris clearing efforts, go to Visit Homosassa's Facebook page.