A Note about the use of the word "Springs"
Traditionally, most rock-sourced natural flowing water have been called "springs", with an "s" on the end. Consequently, Goodenough Springs is also addressed that way. However, at the current time, there is only one outlet that we know about, so, technically, Goodenough is a single spring. Prior to inundation, Goodenough may have sported more than one outlet -- and it certainly would have been easier to spot amongst dry scrub, rock and dirt -- but even the historical photos appear to show only a single emergence.
The book "Springs of Texas" by Gunnar Brune states, "The Goodenough Springs, also called Hinojosa Springs, are now submerged by Amistad Reservoir on the Rio Grande west of Del Rio in Val Verde County (at 29°32' N, 101°15' W). Before 1968, when they were inundated by Amistad, they were the third largest group of springs in Texas, with an average annual flow of 3,900 liters per second. In the early 1900s the springs powered a waterwheel used to raise irrigation water to the top of the adjacent high bluff. The springs rise from limestone under artesian pressure but are now on the northeast side of the lake at a point normally beneath forty-six meters of water; this submergence has considerably reduced the springs' flow. In winter, when the springwater is warmer than the lake water, it rises to the surface and produces a smooth area."
(Reference: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/rpg2.html)
Chuck Noe, GSEP director, states, ""throughout the 7+ years of extensive exploration by GSEP members, no outflow other than the primary spring tunnel has been detected in this system. While there is some evidence of past substrate dissolution, there is no longer any detectable flow in these areas".
So although Goodenough is most certainly a singular spring, for the sake of tradition and in deference to Gunnar Brune's use, the term "springs" will be used throughout this website.
