texas sinkhole

[ltb7733]

where can i find info about a sinkhole in san marcus texas called Jacobs ladder? thanks ltb7733

[FW]

Do a Google search. Type it exactly like below.

"jacob's well" cave

[tdmp]

The location you are asking about is called Jacob's Well. It is located in a subdivision just north of Wimberly. The sinkhole was closed in the 80s after an openwater diver died. It is located on private property and a few cavedivers have privately negotiated diving there in the past. It is a pretty system but is short in distance.

[DeWayne]

It's very unpredictable and quite unforgiving as well.

[crazyduck]

Jacob’s well is off limits with a few exceptions.
This site is pretty well monitored and the police are serious.
They will arrest you for Trespassing, take you to jail, the charge is serious and they will confiscate all of your gear. Makes a sneak dive not worth it.

This site is dangerous- because the water table is constantly changing and that includes influences by local pumping. The problem is that the rooms have small entrances and exits and the floor is lined with a loose floating gravel. When the table shifts it moves the gravel that is floating on the bottom- trapping the diver in the room.

Yes, two divers in the 70s perished there and Don Dibell almost perished when he was trying to find them and was almost caught in the system himself. I believe that nss-cds has a survey and report from the 1960s.

On a nicer note the site could be used in the first 60 feet before entering the first chamber, however access is presently not easy. Recently SMART divers removed truck loads of gravel to make things easier for access and to help them “map” the system but since then I have heard no news. They did remove the remains of the final diver lost in the 70’s.

It is important to note that Texas water levels are dropping FAST. In the North Texas area they are down by about 250ft. This site is also influenced by the impact of pumping. This site used to have a water column at this site 3ft tall. There are stories of the indians throwing in rocks only to have the rocks thrown out by the spring. Now it is little more than a stream.

Presently, Texas cavers and Cave divers are working to find sites that would be safe and similar to training and diving sites in Florida. However, it is a slow battle.

Only open cave I know is Good Enough, and perhaps Indian Springs in the lake Amistead area which is the border with Mexico.

Good luck, if I can help let me know.
Trust me Texas Cave Divers are LOOKING hard for sites! :)

Andrew

added: smart site with info: http://www.smartdivers.com/jacobwell.html

[tdmp]

Thanks for that informative article and link. I had friends that dove the system back when it was legal to do so. Hopefully, a system can be set up in the future to allow certified cave divers access. Your right, Amistad is not exactly close or easy.

Todd