Why is Jug Hole Closed to divers Except for Winter?

I think this is a question for the NFSA (North Florida Spring Alliance). Ichetucknee has three areas, Jug Hole, the tube and kayak launch area, and the Springs swimming area. There is a fence at the end of the Jug Hole area to keep kayaks, from coming into the Jug Hole spring. Signs clearly indicate to non-divers where to go to swim or tube. That said, why does the park restrict diving to October thru March? Is there any sound reason for this policy. Couldn't a discussion be opened to open up Jug year round?
By the way, I was there March 22nd and there was no one manning the ranger station so the key for the cart was not available. It appeared to me that rangers only manned the gate on weekends. And so without the key we didn't feel like hauling our side mount tanks and equipment 1/3 of a mile to and from Jug. I've walked it previously with BM doubles and it is at best a challenge.

I believe some divers *DO* have access year round.

The cart is locked up using a combo lock. We always forget it and just get it from Amigos where he has it posted. I thought the reasoning was due to the massive crowd of swimmers, rail jumpers, wastoids and drunk baby mommas during the other times.

The combination is posted on the NFSA website at the bottom of the page.

I can't find it online anywhere, but I did read somewhere at the park about the various closing dates of various sections being in place to allow the specific areas time to recover and regenerate from usage, something not possible when year round usage was allowed. I can't back this up with anything but my own memory, though.

Probably shouldn't be looking for the key to a lock that doesn't take a key...


The reason as I understood it, the basin doesn't take too well to traffic. So to keep its carry capacity down, divers(minority of who's paying during the summer) take a backseat.

Honestly, I'm ok with thats... specially considering the hike, which sucks even with the cart, in 90+F heat.

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Originally Posted by metaldector

I think this is a question for the NFSA (North Florida Spring Alliance). Ichetucknee has three areas, Jug Hole, the tube and kayak launch area, and the Springs swimming area. There is a fence at the end of the Jug Hole area to keep kayaks, from coming into the Jug Hole spring. Signs clearly indicate to non-divers where to go to swim or tube. That said, why does the park restrict diving to October thru March? Is there any sound reason for this policy. Couldn't a discussion be opened to open up Jug year round?
By the way, I was there March 22nd and there was no one manning the ranger station so the key for the cart was not available. It appeared to me that rangers only manned the gate on weekends. And so without the key we didn't feel like hauling our side mount tanks and equipment 1/3 of a mile to and from Jug. I've walked it previously with BM doubles and it is at best a challenge.

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Have you ever tried to access the park during the summer tubing season? You ought to see the line of cars 1 hour before the park opens,they meet their limit sometimes by 8:30am.
I worked hard to get Jug Hole reopened because it was closed because of the grass surrounding the opening. Divers weren't causing the problem,but there was pretty strong concern. During the tubing season the park is very active,and they have to control the traffic,so I really don't think they will open it up during the summer,but I can ask.

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Originally Posted by jj1987

I believe some divers *DO* have access year round.

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Yes you are correct. I do fauna counts there,and it can be a real PITA during the summer months. They want me in and out before they park gets busy,so sometimes I have to be there at 6:30am. Every dive there is a data collection dive and I have to complete a report.

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Originally Posted by sskasser

I can't find it online anywhere, but I did read somewhere at the park about the various closing dates of various sections being in place to allow the specific areas time to recover and regenerate from usage, something not possible when year round usage was allowed. I can't back this up with anything but my own memory, though.

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Thats what I was alwys told.

Kelly, as of now the tubing area is closed due to low water. So why can't they open Jug since no tubers means no crowds. It just seems the parks are not flexible. They can close tubing and have posted signs, why not allow Jug until the water level comes back up?

About the key, I didn't turn the lock over to see it was a combination lock. Silly me, I thought it was a key lock.

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Originally Posted by metaldector

Kelly, as of now the tubing area is closed due to low water. So why can't they open Jug since no tubers means no crowds. It just seems the parks are not flexible. They can close tubing and have posted signs, why not allow Jug until the water level comes back up?

About the key, I didn't turn the lock over to see it was a combination lock. Silly me, I thought it was a key lock.

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Probably because the parks don't want to have to deal with opening it just for divers for the times when it gets closed to tubers. Honestly you are asking the parks to do a lot of extra work for very little benefit on their behalf. There are many other places you can go during the summer months, just be happy we can dive it during the fall/winter months.

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Originally Posted by jcook

Probably because the parks don't want to have to deal with opening it just for divers for the times when it gets closed to tubers. Honestly you are asking the parks to do a lot of extra work for very little benefit on their behalf. There are many other places you can go during the summer months, just be happy we can dive it during the fall/winter months.

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Plus, the fact that there are several local area businesses (and by local, I mean within 5 miles of Jug Hole) that focus on the "tubing" market. I'd imagine that they'd be suffering a bit right now if Jug Hole is closed to tubing. I'd think that they'd put a lot of pressure on FSP to keep it open only for tubing whenever possible, especially during the summer months.

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Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop

Have you ever tried to access the park during the summer tubing season? You ought to see the line of cars 1 hour before the park opens,they meet their limit sometimes by 8:30am.

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Hey Kelly,

The past two summers have had minimal traffic during the weekend. Seriously, my wife and I have gone there on some major weekends (Memorial day) later in the morning (10AM) and had no problems with parking or finding grills to cook lunch on at the south entrance. We've gotten to the north entrance as late as 9:30 and still been allowed in a few times.

One of the main concerns with the north entrance during the summer though is the amount of parking. It still fills up by ~9:30, and there's very limited parking. Your best bet may be to argue for a week-day diving permit, but keep weekends free for tubers.

Best of luck to you,

Ken