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River gauges show the lower Suwannee has only gone up a couple feet. Manatee Spring State Park shows that they have closed the spring run to swimmers, but wondering if this has impacted cave diving conditions upstream of Catfish?
Anyone been there this past weekend/week?
I haven't been lately, but historically the best diving at Manatee is when the river is up. The flow is down then, and the visibility improves.Quote:
Originally Posted by mer
I've not been down there, but my guess is that from the conditions here (about 10 miles upstream) is that the system is blown. It's been so very dry here for so long that even systems like Manatee, which used to never go dark, go under even during slight floods.
My buddy that lives around there called me today and said Manatee was open for cave diving. I'm going up this weekend, so I"ll post an update after the weekend.
if any one is interested in manatee springs you can always call the park directly @ (352) 493-6072 or check the web @ http://www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/
i was told a day ago that the park was closed to open water divers, but i haven't inquired about cave diving.
Some friends dived there yesterday and said it was a "little milky, but otherwise good, no flow. Water was almost to the bath house on the spring side and water covered at least 6 steps and platform at Catfish."
Dove to Pillar room this morning, vis was great 60-80' or so. Flow wasn't very noticeable. Mosquitoes were no joke, swarmed pretty solidly on us bringing gear to the sink. Better to do the trips in dry suit, hood and gloves.
Deer were hanging out in the parking lot. Reminded us we need to get down there more often.
Don't forget the tick check! A few hitched back on my dive gear from Manatee today, the ticks (and skeeters) are brutal there.
We dived into the catfish hotel entrance on 6th Jul (Friday) and the water was crystal clear with no flow. We got eaten alive by the mozzies tho!
No Flow in Manatee? I gotta get down there real soon. With all the rain, bugs are bound to be bad. Dont foget your Off.
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
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.Quote:
It's a shame though because no flow is not 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.