The spatial distribution of the total neutron density from a 252Cf source in pure water was measured to high statistical precision at distances ranging from 11 to 80 cm from the source. Assuming the adequacy of the ENDF/B-IV hydrogen cross sections and reasonable constraints on the fission spectrum mean energy, good agreement between experiment and a one-dimensional transport calculation was obtained for both ENDF/B-III and -IV oxygen cross sections, with Version III being slightly better. However, small residual differences remained that could not be removed by adjustment of the spectrum mean energy alone.