Ellaville is on private property. I really haven't had any problems from the river. Sometimes the owner/renter will drop by and run you off if you use the parking area.
Anderson is in the river and can be dived from a boat. That flow can really be kicking in there so be careful you don't get blown off deco, more than one person has been bent there.
The land around line eater/Stevenson is managed by the State of Florida and the office is out of Suwannee River State park. It's owned by Suwannee River water Management. you can get access by boat, just don't mess around on the land. The state does have a boat that patrols that area during the summer.
The Suwannacoochi and a couple other caves are on the State Park. There are two patrol cars and one boat who regularly go to those springs because they are local party hangouts. You will get cited if you get caught. There are currently two active permits to dive Suwannee River State park. One group is relining Suwannaccochi and I am sure would appreciate your keeping out of that cave and out of trouble at least until they are done lining it and placing signs. My group has the permit on the rest of the park. We have been active there for 5 years and have gained a good relationship with the park. If you do get caught at least be polite and take your medicine like a good respectful cave diver. It has not always been that way. One diver was even abusive to the staff. Not a good plan to make the state want to open these places, believe me when I say we are trying. That park has some nice caves that can and will be opened to the public.
Right now there are some real issues with the permits on State Parks. If we all play nice we can get the state to see both the potential financial value and right for us to have access to State Park caves. So if you act like a bunch of ego boasting fools you could ruin it for the rest of us.
Our little team is in that area at least two weekends a month. We need people on our team who are interested in diving these caves and have had several people dive with us over the years. Please just contact one of the groups if you want to dive there. We would love to have you. That said, people like to complain about not getting into park caves but very few actually bother to pick up a phone or email to go with us. If you really want to dive those park caves just get in touch with either group. We don't want to step on toes and we do want to get these caves open at some point. The price of admission is a phone call, a little time management and maybe helping out a little. In exchange you get a dive, get to know the area with people who can really help you out with local knowledge. Jees, maybe even make a friend or two! Cindy Butler 386-454-8378, you can talk to Scott, Jean or myself. Same number as I have posted many times. My email is cindyb3007@yahoo.com. ps if you did something to make me mad or vs versa please be advised I have no memory whatsoever and wouldn't hold a grudge. Forgive me if I am occasionally a cranky old women on the forums, my bite is non existent
Oh, and the park boarders are posted. The springs have been posted several times but the sign seem to get washed away a lot. It will not make any difference if you pull the signs or mother nature does, they will still site you.
PS For more information on the team go to the CDS website. We are on of the projects listed.
