| Greer Spring | |
| Name Other: | Big Ozark Spring |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Missouri |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | Ozark Plateau |
| Length: | 1.4miles |
| Discharge1 Location: | Greer Spring1981-2009 [1] |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 360cuft/s1981-2009 [2] |
| Discharge1 Max: | 1770cuft/s |
| Source1: | Greer Spring Outlet |
| Source1 Location: | Eleven Point River basin, Salem Plateau, Ozark Plateau, Missouri |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 36.7867°N -91.3475°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 564feet |
| Mouth: | Eleven Point River |
| Mouth Location: | Greer, Oregon County, Ozark Plateau, Missouri |
| Mouth Elevation: | 519feetUSGS 7.5 min topo quad map |
| Custom Label: | U.S. NNL |
| Custom Data: | Designated: 1980 |
Greer Spring is a first magnitude spring located in the southeast portion of the Ozark Plateau, in Oregon County in south-central Missouri within the boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest. The spring is the second largest spring in the Ozarks, with an average discharge of 360cuft of water per second.[1] Greer Spring was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.[3]
The spring emerges at the bottom of a narrow chasm. An upper outlet flowing from a cavern is only a fraction of Greer Spring's large flow. About 100feet downstream (north) the main outlet boils to the surface in a mixture of deep, aqua-blue water, moss covered rocks, and frothy whitewater. The newly formed surface stream then races down a small, steep, hardwood blanketed gorge dropping 65feet in elevation for 1.2miles to its confluence with the Eleven Point River. Greer Spring greatly increases the flow of the river, ensuring ample water for recreational activities, such as boating, even in the dry months. The vast amount of spring water changes the Eleven Point River into a coldwater stream for several miles downstream. The spring's cold water also creates ideal conditions for trout. The mouth of the spring branch is roughly 0.5 miles upstream (west) of the Missouri Route 19 bridge over the Eleven Point River. Greer Spring may be the most secluded and undisturbed big spring in the Ozarks. The spring has been owned by the U.S. National Forest Service since 1993.[4] Before 1993 the spring was in the caring hands of private ownership. The area surrounding the spring has been retaken by nature, but had a small fish hatchery and roads many years ago, the site has remained very scenic and unspoiled.
The United States National Forest Service maintains a trail to the spring. The trailhead is located 18miles south of Winona and 8miles north of Alton on Missouri Highway 19 about 1.5miles south of the Highway 19 bridge that crosses the Eleven Point River and just north of the tiny town of Greer. A parking area on the side of Highway 19 provides parking for the trail. Visitors to the spring are common despite a mile-long hike.
The first gristmill on the spring branch was built by Captain Samuel Greer in 1859. The spring was subsequently named after the Confederate captain. The mill was later destroyed during the American Civil War, however the mill was rebuilt. Sometime after 1883, the old mill was removed to make way for a new roller mill completed sometime before 1899. The mill changed ownership until 1922, when it ceased operation. Very few remains of mill operations exist today near the spring. The mill itself is still standing near the top of east side of the gorge, despite very little attention. As of 2016, work is well underway with help from the U.S. Forest Service and HistoriCorps[5] for the mill restoration project.[6] Difficult access, private ownership, and a remote location have all aided in protecting this karst location.