There is a spring near Tallahassee that has a tall rock formation next to it. As pledges we were taken there and told to jump in the spring below.
The water was COLD. The real shock came when we opened our eyes underwater and saw that we were surrounded by about a dozen alligators. The six of us immediately formed a chaotic bunch of arms and legs as we tried to merge into each other. When the brothers stopped laughing, they directed us to a gator free space where we could climb out. Gators definitely live in springs.
I grew up in Tallahassee and I can’t believe how unaware I was while swimming in Silver Springs back then. Or every other swimming hole.
The BSA did their mile swim in Lake Talquin every year during summer camp.