Roubidoux Exploration Update - OCDA
We last reported progress back in Nov 2011. At that time we repaired the line out to the end (6000’) and in fact added an additional 100 ft preparing for a full blown push dive. However, as things work in the Ozarks, the rains came and prevented us from making that push dive. Until now!
I’m pleased to announce that with the sustained drought we’ve had here in the Ozarks, conditions have been improving in Roubidoux and have allowed us to finally make that push dive. On the weekend of Aug 11 & 12, we successfully added approximately 650’ of new line to the system. We were able to gather a few rough survey points and now know the passage is trending south and is decreasing in depth. The current EOL depth is 151’. It is still large passage, but silty, decreasing vis and not many places for line tie-offs.
Aug 11 &12 Project Stats:
We spent the entire day on Saturday setting up the system with safety stages, safety scooters, deco tanks, heater batteries and hydration packs. In total, we had 12 divers on-site. Sunday was then totally devoted to the push team, who spent around 9.5 hrs in the system. Max depth was 260’. The habitat, which was installed in 2007, was very beneficial during a lengthy deco.
If conditions hold steady, we plan to return soon, formally survey the line and add to the map.
We’ll have pics posted on our website in the near future. www.ocda.org
On behalf of the OCDA,
Chris Hill
OCDA team member
