Name: Bennett Spring
Location: Dallas County, Mo.
Rank: 4
Average Flow:
Million gallons per day: 103
Cubic feet per second: 165
Recharge Area:
Bennett Spring has been successfully dye traced from the
south, southwest and southeast of the spring. Extensive studies of the spring recharge by James
Vandike yielded a recharge area of about 265 square miles.
Interesting Information:
The spring basin is 50 ft. in diameter. Divers have
entered to 80 foot of depth and 130 foot length, where gravel spray of great velocity prevents
further penetration. Gravel boils in the spring churn the chert, resulting in highly polished naturally
tumbled stones.
Brief History:
The spring's origin was attributed by the Osage Indians to an
earthquake caused by the Creator's displeasure with the tribe. First white settlers were the James
Brice family in 1837, joined shortly thereafter by that of Peter Bennett. Originally milling rivals,
the families later intermarried. Around 1900, the Brice Inn was established and soon catered to
tourists. Releases of "mountain trout" occurred in these early days. The town of Brice was
purchased with the spring and other land from Bennett heirs in 1924 and 1925. A fish hatchery
predated the state park. The Civilian Conservation Corps made improvements in the 1930s, and
newly formed Dept. of Conservation took over fish culture in 1936. More land has been acquired,
but the spring remains the key to the state park's identity as a trout fisherman's mecca.
Ownership and Access:
Bennett Spring is a Missouri state park, with
spring branch utilized as a trout hatchery and fishing facility by the Missouri Department of
Conservation. No charge to view the spring, however camping and fishing fees apply.