right now, most of the field work i'm involved in is in the suwannee river basin in florida. narrator: a basin is a geographic region that contributes all of its surface water to a river system. this map shows the area from which the suwannee river gets its water. dr. graham: and the suwannee river basin is one of the largest unregulated rivers left in the u.s. it's not interrupted by dams or hydroelectric power. it's just allowed to flow freely in its natural state. and there aren't too many rivers like that left in the u.s. there is a lot of freshwater. the highest concentration of first order springs in the world it occurs right here in north-central florida. there's a huge reservoir of freshwater under the land surface that, even in times of drought is emerging in the springs and flowing into the rivers. so, we don't get to the point here in this part of the state where we have utilized and overutilized the resource so much. narrator: currently, the suwannee river basin has enough water to sustain the natural ecosystem. but there are ever-increasing temptations to dam and

right now, most of the field work i'm involved in is in the suwannee river basin in florida. narrator: a basin is a geographic region that contributes all of its surface water to a river system. this map shows the area from which the suwannee river gets its water. dr. graham: and the suwannee river basin is one of the largest unregulated rivers left in the u.s. it's not interrupted by dams or hydroelectric power. it's just allowed to flow freely in its natural state. and there aren't too many rivers like that left in the u.s. there is a lot of freshwater. the highest concentration of first order springs in the world, it occurs right here in north-central florida. there's a huge reservoir of freshwater under the land surface that, even in times of drought, is emerging in the springs and flowing into the rivers. so, we don't get to the point here in this part of the state where we have utilized and overutilized the resource so much. narrator: currently, the suwannee river basin has enough water to sustain the natural ecosystem. but there are ever-increasing temptations to dam an

do with pumpkins >> : the morning behind not surprising one of the most popular defense vote to the suwannees biggest companies in find anywhere onisplay was amazing is the biggest pump and not even here >> : part of the way of competition earlier this week pumpkins and north american record came at more than 2,000 lbs. told the pumpkin and prep for parade later on today >> : and people here at the pump in vessel also getting set up stores and 9:00 however if you're hungry have a pancake breakfast started up some o'clock this morning have not moon bay high school boys best will seen they are serving up a pumpkin flavor pancakes >> : this starts the day where you find pumpkin flavor ice cream pumpkin flavored fudge american cheese and pancakes the part >> : does not that it's ok >> : identified reckon she's >> : a deal too extreme i think a go at the bunch >> : festival runs 95 today tomorrow as for today's highlights the great pumpkin parade and pie eating contest to o'clock this afternoon there are hundreds of different events taking place throughout the day on the street here watching this