Anyone checked on Telford in the last week or so?
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Anyone checked on Telford in the last week or so?
I did a 'boat by' about a week ago and walked around the spring . The water was green and clear and looked diveable. The run was flowing pretty good with 2-3' or more over all rocks. There was a 'No Tresspassing' sign close to the run and near river that I don't remember being there.
I suspect that is for the locals that tend to walk along the fence line, and then go onto the property. If you stay in the run, you are legal.Quote:
Originally Posted by aquadog196
I frequently hear the term "High Water Mark" used as an excuse for walking along side the spring run...and staying under the high water mark. Anything to this term or just wishful thinking?
I don't think it's wise to split hairs like this. Just stay in the run and there's no question.
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Ive heard something like that where if you stay under mean high water on the shore then you are still legal, but I'd have to read the law to be sure.
Please stay off the land. Efforts are being made to get this opened to us. Those people who are making the efforts really don't want to have to defend or apologize for the actions of people walking on the land.
REACT next weekend with boat rides to Telford....
When Telford was closed at that time I was the chair of the CDS. I spent a lot of time tracking down the owners and negotiating access. They appreciated the cave divers because they helped keep the property clean, but the biggest issue was liability related to anybody accessing the property, which I think the main issue was a local who broke their back on the property and sued. I suggested things like having a keyed gate where we would sign in,to even leasing the property like a hunting group would do. Where they were very nice and pleasant to deal with, none of those options were something they would consider. One thing that did come up was as long as we stayed in the spring run (feet wet),there was nothing they would do, and I felt that was their one demonstration of appreciation for what we have done.
Realize we can discuss high water mark, navigable water ways etc etc,but the bottom line is if a deputy charges you with trespassing, and then potentially you go to jail with the judge determining the other intangibles.
As a prior owner of beach property I am absolutely sure it's high tide line, For instance the motels that set up there chairs along the beach and try to run off the general public are doing so illegally, up to the mean high tide line I think it's called is public property, no private person can own it, and the mean high tide line is way up the beach even during normal high tide. Pretty sure this means nothing at all for fresh water streams, almost certain the property owner owns the land, regardless of how high the water is or isn't.
Being a Redneck myself, I can tell you that if I catch you on my property and you act very nice and apologetic, I'll almost certainly let you come and go, but start trying to sound like a New York Lawyer and I'll call my buddy the Sheriff and he will take you to jail and you can be Bubba's girlfriend for the night.
Having said that, I'll have a boat that anyone is welcome to use at REACT, no need to walk, question is I assume the boat can't be beached, has to either be driven back and forth or anchored in the water? I've never dove Telford myself, last year I was told the vis was terrible so I didn't even try.
There are a couple of submerged trees near the run that you can anchor the boat to. Same place I leave my scooter. You can't see them from above, for all the tannin.Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
The plan is to check it out tomorrow. I'm going by water.
That is pretty accurate,unless your name is Metzger,but that is a different story.Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
A boat is kind of overkill. Just swim/pull your way along from the road's end. It isn't far. I've done it several times, it's easy and convenient. Of course, parking might be an issue if there are lots of folks.
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I agree , the river boat is kinda overkill. Swimming/dragging yourself up the river is about 8 minutes and 200 psi for me. The hard part is the spring run as it is loaded with slippery rocks, submerged logs, rock ledges etc, and is a different challenge each time depending on water height. BM or SM both can be difficult...but such a great dive.
Sounds like a job for the foldable snorkel that has been sitting in my closet forever :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by aquadog196
Telford is 20' on the way in, 10' on the way out. Lots of chunky percolation.
So it's 10 ft again this year, any other reason I might need the boat, or just leave it at home?Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenwood_60
I think you will find that the easiest way to get upstream from the boat ramp is to get in the river and drop down to the river bed and pull using rocks and kicking etc and trying to stay in the river fairly close to shore but not so close as to be fighting river bank tree roots and branches. The flow of the river will keep you on course but an occasional surface is usually necessary. You know you are close when you feel the colder and clearer spring water . The spring run is another matter depending on water height.
OK with a vis report of 10', I'll leave the boat here
Still plan on camping though
Good meeting you today Greenwood!!
Hope you had a good dive in spite of the viz, Telford is a great cave.
See you next weekend at REACT.
Dive safe,
Celia
I don't think I'd bother with the boat. The dive is worth doing if you're first in. I'm going to head back at least one more time before then. Maybe some traffic will help clear it out.
Good meeting you too! The dive was great! 45 minutes in, took 25 minutes out. I made it back to the very beginning of Beulah Land. See you at REACT!Quote:
Originally Posted by amphipod06