Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Where Does the Spring Water Go?

#7 — Huntsville Water Trail

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 13, 2021

1. Where Does the Spring Water Go? Marker

Inscription. Roughly 7-20 million gallons of water emerge from The Big Spring every day. Even in the 19th and 20th centuries, when people used the spring as their main water supply, most of the water generated by The Big Spring flowed down the Indian Creek Canal — eventually ending up in the Tennessee River.

Completed in 1831, the canal served as the main transportation route for agricultural goods to the port town of Triana. Prior to the completion of the Memphis and Charleston rail line in 1857, water transportation was the best way to move products to market.

Today, water emerging from The Big Spring Cave still flows into the Tennessee River. Millions of gallons surface at The Big Spring, flowing down the Indian Creek Canal to Pinhook Creek, then south and west into Indian Creek on the southern border of Redstone Arsenal. South of the Arsenal, Indian Creek merges with the Tennessee River near Triana.

Caption: Permission granted by Huntsville Madison County Public Library and Archives.

Erected by Huntsville Utilities. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 34° 43.758′

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N, 86° 35.226′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. It can be reached from Church Street Southwest south of Clinton Avenue West, on the left when traveling south. Marker is along pedestrian path in Big Spring Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Northern Terminus Indian Creek Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Church Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spring Runs Its Course (within shouting distance of this marker); History at Its Source (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntsville Utilites Special Awards (within shouting distance of this marker); The Big Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntsville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Big Spring of Today (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Making the Water Work (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 26, 2025

2. Where Does the Spring Water Go? Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia.