Spring

Spring
Biomes	Overworld; The Nether;
Consists of	Water or Lava

A spring is a feature consisting of a single block of liquid that flows out into spaces level with or lower than the source.

Types of springs

There are three main categories of fluid springs:

Normal springs

Normal springs can generate as either water or lava in the walls of underground surfaces. These are commonly encountered on the sides of cliffs, as well as inside caves. Lava springs are a common source of forest fires. Additionally, water springs can only generate below Y=192.

Ceiling springs

Ceiling springs are exclusive to the Nether, and only generate with lava. They generate on ceilings, and the lava flows directly downwards from them.

Hidden springs

In the Nether, lava springs can generate without any exposed faces buried in terrain, potentially becoming hazardous when blocks around them are mined.

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

Feature type	Identifier
[No displayed name]	`spring_feature`

Configured feature	Identifier
[No displayed name]	`spring_water`
[No displayed name]	`spring_lava_overworld`
[No displayed name]	`spring_lava_frozen`
[No displayed name]	`spring_lava_nether`
[No displayed name]	`spring_nether_closed`
[No displayed name]	`spring_nether_open`

Bedrock Edition:

Feature	Identifier
[No displayed name]	`lava_spring_feature`
[No displayed name]	`water_spring_feature`
[No displayed name]	`minecraft:legacy:springs_feature`
[No displayed name]^[a]	`[No ID]`

Config

Java Edition:

[NBT Compound / JSON Object] config
- [NBT Compound / JSON Object] state The fluid to use.
  - Block state see Template:Nbt inherit/block state/template
- [Int] rock_count (optional, defaults to 4) The required number of blocks adjacent to the spring that belong to [NBT List / JSON Array] valid_blocks. Block above is not counted.
- [Int] hole_count (optional, defaults to 1) The required number of air blocks adjacent to the spring. Block above is not counted.
- [Boolean] requires_block_below (optional, defaults to true) Whether the spring feature requires a block in [NBT List / JSON Array] valid_blocks below it.
- [String][NBT List / JSON Array] valid_blocks Can be a block ID or a block tag, or a list of block IDs.

An example

{
  "type": "minecraft:spring_feature",
  "config": {
    "hole_count": 1,
    "requires_block_below": true,
    "rock_count": 4,
    "state": {
      "Name": "minecraft:water",
      "Properties": {
        "falling": "true"
      }
    },
    "valid_blocks": [
      "minecraft:stone",
      "minecraft:granite",
      "minecraft:diorite",
      "minecraft:andesite",
      "minecraft:deepslate",
      "minecraft:tuff",
      "minecraft:calcite",
      "minecraft:dirt",
      "minecraft:snow_block",
      "minecraft:powder_snow",
      "minecraft:packed_ice"
    ]
  }
}

Feature is hardcoded to check if the block above it belongs to [NBT List / JSON Array] valid_blocks and does not place if the block is not there.

History

Java Edition

Java Edition Infdev
20100616-1808		Added springs.
Java Edition Alpha
v1.2.0	preview	Added the Nether, which contains open nether springs.
Java Edition
1.5	13w02a	Added closed nether springs in the Nether.
1.17	21w08a	Normal springs are now able to generate below Y=0.
1.17	21w15a	Normal springs are no longer able to generate below Y=0.
1.18	Experimental Snapshot 1	Springs are now able to generate in meadows, lofty peaks, snowcapped peaks, snowy slopes, and groves.
	Experimental Snapshot 1	Normal springs are able to generate below Y=0 once again.
	experimental snapshot 5	Water springs are now able to replace dirt and snow blocks.
	experimental snapshot 5	Springs are now able to generate in lush caves.
	experimental snapshot 6	Water springs are slightly less common.^{[more information needed]}
	21w42a	The maximum Y-level of water spring generation has been changed to Y=192.
		Water springs have been made slightly less common again.^{[more information needed]}
		Lava springs are now able to replace calcite, dirt, powder snow, and packed ice.
	21w43a	Lava springs are no longer able to replace snow block, powder snow, packed ice.^[1]
	21w43a	Added frozen lava springs, which can replace snow blocks, powder snow, packed ice, and which generate in jagged peaks, frozen peaks, snowy slopes, and grove biomes.
	1.18-pre1	Regular lava springs are able to replace snow block, powder snow, packed ice again.
	1.18-pre3	Regular lava springs are no longer able to replace snow block, powder snow, packed ice again.^[1]

Bedrock Edition

Pocket Edition Alpha
v0.1.0							Added springs.
v0.12.1			build 1				Added the Nether, which contains open and closed nether springs.

Issues

Issues relating to "Spring" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Gallery

Screenshots

A water spring in which two squid have spawned.
Another three water-spring squids.
2 lava springs, with the wildfire in the foreground.
Numerous water springs and lava spring generated together in a windswept hills biome.
Lava spring flowing to the ocean.
2 water springs generated in birch forest biome.
A lava spring in a deep dark biome, directed by sculk veins.
A closed nether spring near a quartz ore blob.
A lava spring generated next to a water spring, with the water actually touching the lava.