Anyone been to Manatee since the flood?

Dove today and vis was real good, almost no flow at all. There was an open water class of like 12 going on in Catfish. Mesquites weren't too bad, but the duckweed was crazy.

I just went today. Vis was excellent. The best I've seen in my 4 times diving it. There really is no flow at all. I remember the first time I dove it I was struggling with the flow, now it's easily swimmable. It's a shame though because no flow is not a good sign. The main spring is closed to diving and swimming. It looks black and nasty. Catfish is clear and the mosquitos are maneaters!

looks like I know where my weekend is headed :)

A few questions for those who dove Manatee during the height of the flood. Since I was so wrong on my prediction of it backflowing, I'm curious. Did it ever backflow at all? Even as far as Catfish? Is the spring basin dark now or is there a pool of clear water emerging into the tannic?

We swam back into the cave of the main spring and the water was fairly clear. Usually flow is kicking in there and trying to push you out. None of that was present. The exit and the pool above the cave was very black and no sunlight that I could see was penetrating through. The swim back was very easy with negligible current to fight. I believe Rick said that he hadn't thought it reversed

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It's a shame though because no flow is not a good sign

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Any clear water at all is still remarkable, considering that in the few weeks before Debbie came through, Hart Springs reversed a couple of times simply from tidal influences- and it's 35 miles upriver from the Gulf! There was simply no water in the ground to come out. Apparently, the 12 inches or so of water we got here is creating enough pressure to counteract the elevated height of the river water. A good sign.

Dove Manatee today 7/11. First dive entered Friedman early in the morning and Mosquitos were waiting for us. Top of Friedman was kinda nasty but cleared soon after dropping down. Great vis Friedman and upstream. Second dive entered Catfish and easily swam to Friedman with little flow and good vis . Terrific dives - Grand Cave!

I think Manatee might be pretty popular in the next few weeks.

I think your right. I think a nice long scooter dive would be really nice.

Long scootering there is usually planned upon high outflow, basically speed is 1:1 (scootering in-sailing out with current) in this condition I would be more conservative. I would speculate the water source plain has much higher elevation there than other caves.