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View Full Version : Manatee Springs & Tidal Influence Question



giles45shop
03-12-2009, 10:19 AM
We are planning to do some dives at Manatee (Catfish) this weekend. I recall there is possible correlation between tides and visibility, but couldn't find that in a quick search.

Anybody have that info handy, and also what tide chart/monitoring location to use in determining best/worse times?

We'll probably spend most of the day there doing short (Basic) dives, just wanted to see if I could correlate based on personal observations during the day.

Dove there before, both upstream and downstream (W/ instructor) from Catfish so I'm familar w/ flows, etc.

Thanks,

John

FW
03-12-2009, 12:17 PM
Use this link: http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/index.php?wfo=tae
click on Manatee. You want to start your dive when the level is going up, and getting near the peak. The flow is slower, and particles drop out, clearing the viz some.

giles45shop
03-12-2009, 04:47 PM
Thanks! Of course it looks like they don't do routine forecasts for Manatee, only observations, but may be able to interpolate as it gets closer.

John

FW
03-13-2009, 06:40 AM
Thanks! Of course it looks like they don't do routine forecasts for Manatee, only observations, but may be able to interpolate as it gets closer.

John
The tides follow the moon. It changes about 15 minutes a day, so you can make your own predictions.

giles45shop
03-13-2009, 07:34 AM
Thanks, I've never spent a lot of time studying the lunar cycles, but I know they are cyclic. I took a quick look at the data, now I have to sit down and do some calculations. Just another thing to add to the dive planning checklist!