彩虹泉州立公园的彩虹河，佛罗里达州，美国 Rainbow River in Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida (© Michel Roggo/Minden Pictures)

彩虹泉州立公园的彩虹河，佛罗里达州，美国 Rainbow River in Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida (© Michel Roggo/Minden Pictures)

彩虹河的清澈拥抱 The clear embrace of Rainbow River

彩虹泉州立公园的彩虹河，佛罗里达州，美国

坐落于佛罗里达州北部墨西哥湾沿岸的，是彩虹泉州立公园。数百年来，这片区域一直作为自然资源，为人类与动物所依赖。穿越公园蜿蜒流淌的彩虹河，正是其中的关键生态要素。河水源自佛罗里达州最大型的泉水之一彩虹泉，其水体汇集自770平方英里的广阔集水区，最终流入威特拉库奇河。

彩虹河清澈见底，全年水温恒定在72华氏度，非常适合游泳与浮潜。公园的历史可以追溯到19世纪80年代末，当时在该地区发现了硬岩磷矿，掀起了一场短暂而热烈的繁荣时期。受磷矿开采推动，一个名为朱丽叶的小型社区迅速在泉水周边发展起来。进入20世纪60年代，该地区逐渐转型为旅游胜地，推出了玻璃底船、单轨列车系统，甚至还有马术表演等游客娱乐项目。如今，游客可以探访这里的观赏花园、瀑布和步道，并近距离观察栖息于此的丰富野生动植物群落，感受这片水域的魅力。

Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida

Nestled in the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, is Rainbow Springs State Park. This area has served as a natural resource for humans and animals for centuries, with the Rainbow River—flowing through the park—playing a major role. The gently winding waterway is fed by Rainbow Springs, one of Florida's largest springs. The water that bubbles up here comes from a 770-square-mile area and eventually flows into the Withlacoochee River.

The Rainbow River's transparent waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and they maintain a constant temperature of 72°F year-round. The park's history dates to the late 1880s, when hard rock phosphate was discovered in the area, leading to a boomtown era. This period saw the rapid growth of a small community called Juliette near the springs, driven by the phosphate mining industry. During the 1960s, the park emerged as a popular tourist destination, featuring glass-bottom boat rides, a monorail system, and even a rodeo. Today, visitors can explore the ornamental gardens, waterfalls, and walking paths, and enjoy the diverse wildlife that calls Rainbow Springs home.