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Heavy rains in south Georgia have raised the Withlacoochee level,such that it went from 9.5ft to 13.5,but it appears to have crested. The interesting part is spring discharge is listed at 0,so there is an equilibrium,but reversal appears to have not occurred because conductance is around 280. This maybe one of those unique times that Madison may be low flow with great conditions in the cave. This won't last long as the river level drops,but this weekend may be very good.
very nice. the graph showed some negative flow in the last few days, i thought it had reversed. Great time to jump in and visit the courtyard
I contacted the park and they told me that the Withlacoochee was being held back. The spring can intrude from other sites because I think there are multiple vents,but I think based on the data,this could be a very nice time to dive it. The best dive I had at Little River once was when the spring flow was being countered by the river, and it was like being in Peacock. No flow, spectacular viz, I took my 85's all the way to the Dome room.Quote:
Originally Posted by patpicos
The velocity meter is located in an unfortunate location in the spring run near the river, rather than in the spring vent. There are eddy currents in that location that can cause velocity meter to indicate a reversal when a reversal is not occurring and no reversal when the spring is reversing.Quote:
Originally Posted by patpicos
Thanks Jason for the info. I thought the meter was in the well by the courtyard
This past weekend, we dove from Martz to the Court Yard and didn't notice particularly strong flow. Not sure what our time was back from the Mount Offshoot jump, but total time back from the Well was 2/3 the time for the swim out. Unfortunately, we didn't feel like we were flying on the way out - which would have been nice with those stages.
You need to check the wx forecast for the next five days. It appears there is going to be some significant rain!
Anybody dive it today?
Saw a post from draker. Low flow. Crystal beyond martz
Just finished our dive at Madison… Just like darker said, visibility goes crystal-clear right after martz… Literally 10 ft after the jump. Prior to Martz, the basin is greenish and the cavern is 20' viz. increasing to 30+ in the main passage. Godzilla is sitting on the mainline wait to be moved back to his home. Flow is way down, still present but way better than normal. It took us 18 minutes to swim from open water to the martz jump and we were moving at a leisurely sails pace. Get out there and dive Madison before conditions change. The gnats are bad... Very bad.
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I saw that last weekend, and was tempted to take him to his new home, a dumpster :roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by IowaCaveDiver
Off-topic question… How long (feet of penetration) is the Rocky horror passage?
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Good plan! Say No to Cave Trash!Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
Mike
225'Quote:
Originally Posted by IowaCaveDiver
We dove it again Tuesday. Park was empty and upon arrival the ranger told us the springs were closed. We asked to take a look and she let us. Main basin was up to the top step but despite the heavy rains over the previous 48 hrs, it was still about the same viz. we went to Martz and the pool was fairly clear. Went back to the ranger with the info and she said we could give it a try. Entered at Martz and headed upstream. The Martz tunnel was pretty nasty, 20' viz or less, but as soon as we hit the mainline, wham! 100' viz and very low flow. Dive it if you can but you might want to call ahead. The ranger said Monday the level rose three steps in just a couple hours. She was very nice and happy to have a dive report to pass on to her boss.
If the water is on the platform they have to close it.Quote:
Originally Posted by IowaCaveDiver
river crested and dropping. flow has already increased to 118cfm. ideal to dive imho. thats the flow i first dove Madison and it was great even with 2 stage
God forbid a scuba diver get their feet wet.. :roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop
Actually this was great concession for the park to make for the cave divers. The rule for opening Madison Blue was that water had to be down midway on the steps which would expose beach areas on the spring run, this would allow swimmers caught in the current an escape before being carried into the river. I had asked if it was possible to open the spring for cave divers before swimmers because we didn't need the precautions, and they agreed. The only thing is they have to have water off the platform before allowing anybody to access the area. Pretty fair and much better for the cave divers as compared to the previous opening requirement.Quote:
Originally Posted by cmint
Like btn missingQuote:
Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop
I was there diving today with a great bunch, two teams total for the day.
No swimmers were allowed so it was pretty quiet. The ranger said it's being evaluated on a day to day basis right now.
Flow was pretty strong at the head spring and continued in the system and the water level was a few feet higher than "normal." (With some tannic intrusion near the Godzilla Jump, and the little Godzilla figure is still at the jump on the mainline hanging out.)
The river is dropping, allowing the water in the spring to come out faster. The best viz, and lowest current were at the time of the river cresting.Quote:
Originally Posted by WEPIV
This is depreesing. I was just hoping it would stay open till Friday of next week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shocky