LeonSinks Meeting House and Clearcut

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02-12-2023 01:03 PM
Terry D

LeonSinks Meeting House and Clearcut

EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK WILL OFFER TWO NEW SINKS TO BE AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED CAVE DIVERS.

After acquisition of the 717 acre Ferrell tract, Wakulla state park has two sinks that will be made available for qualified recreational cave divers in spring. The park has several goals to reach before reopening the parcel to the public. Among them are a split rail fence to border parking areas, kiosk installation, iron ranger installation, directional signage, and additional support structures as needed, i.e., dive bench or platform/stairs.
This a great opportunity for NSS-CDS membership involvement and get to experience two new dive sites. We also will be seeking funds to budget the work. We will determine times and details once we have volunteers and materials in place.
If you would like to volunteer or contribute to the material fund, please contact me, Terry DeRouin at programdirector@nsscds.org or 404-680-3694.
To quote the park management, ?we would love to continue to work with the dive community while we add opportunities to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our user groups.?
Many more details to follow.

Let me emphasize, these sinks ARE NOT OPEN and accessible yet. Please do not attempt access and ruin the progress we?ve made. It will be happening soon.
02-12-2023 01:13 PM
Terry D

This only applies to these two sites. Wakulla proper is not included.
02-12-2023 07:10 PM
Diverlee

That is awesome!

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02-12-2023 07:45 PM
Kelly Jessop

Great job
02-12-2023 08:58 PM
diveconjeff

Awesome news! And sounds like a great opportunity for volunteering and getting to know some other folks.

Respectfully

Diveconjeff
02-13-2023 10:28 AM
twaldo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry D

Wakulla proper is not included.

SOMEDAY... and this sounds like a great start.
02-27-2023 09:16 AM
sam

The CDS is taking donations to help build tank stands and stairs and anything else needed. you can check that out here...
https://nsscds.org/shop/wakulla-spri...donation-fund/
02-27-2023 04:06 PM
Diverlee

Donated today

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02-27-2023 10:56 PM
ScubaGypsy

3 Attachment(s)

Clear Cut used to have signs & a parking area, why was it removed? I was back there a couple of weeks ago and most of the forest has been severely pruned. There are also many other sinks back there, have these been explored?

Attachment 23957. Attachment 23958

Hopefully the Ferrell cave in the front is also going to be opened? The maximum depth there is only about 100'.

Attachment 23959

There's apparently other diveable systems on the property including one called Greyhound which I have never had the pleasure of diving. Is this system to be opened as well? Supposedly there are 13 different sinks on the property?

I'm certainly donating and remain hopeful that the other systems will be open and available soon too.
02-28-2023 07:28 AM
rblackburn

Donated
02-28-2023 07:41 AM
MORGAN

Donated.
02-28-2023 08:20 AM
Terry D

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaGypsy

Clear Cut used to have signs & a parking area, why was it removed? I was back there a couple of weeks ago and most of the forest has been severely pruned. There are also many other sinks back there, have these been explored?

Attachment 23957. Attachment 23958

Hopefully the Ferrell cave in the front is also going to be opened? The maximum depth there is only about 100'.

Attachment 23959

There's apparently other diveable systems on the property including one called Greyhound which I have never had the pleasure of diving. Is this system to be opened as well? Supposedly there are 13 different sinks on the property?

I'm certainly donating and remain hopeful that the other systems will be open and available soon too.

Several of the sinks like ClearCut were closed because of conservation issues. The only sinks being opened/ reopened at this time are Meeting House and ClearCut. No other sinks are open for diving at this time. There are a number of sinks on the property but because of access concerns and conservation they are not available at this time. We will continue discussions with the Florida Park system in the future.
03-01-2023 02:58 PM
rblackburn

Any update on the total donated so far? How much more is needed?
03-01-2023 03:54 PM
Terry D

I will make a announcement tomorrow on our FB page. Donations have been wonderful and I thank everyone that has contributed.
03-02-2023 02:18 PM
Scoober

Anything being opened for cavern certified divers or is all of this only full cave or only into and higher?
03-02-2023 02:34 PM
rblackburn

From FaceBook:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry D

NSS-CDS Delivers!
Thank you to all who have donated and pledges support for the Wakulla Sinks projects ? Meeting House and ClearCut sinks! Not only has the original $4000 goal for basic infrastructure been met, because of YOU, we have received over $7200 to date with additional funds still committed.
Phase I of the project provides for fencing for the parking lot, signage, platforms for gear assembly and the stairs for entrance and exit from the sink.
The additional funds will be used for Phase II, including additional parking, a porta-potty on site and additional improvements at ClearCut. Additional discussions are ongoing with the park.
Any additional funds will go to a special fund that will be used to open and maintain additional sites.
Building day updates will be posted soon. Save the date for two workday/ social get togethers on April 15 and16, including a cook out with food and drink (alcohol is not allowed). Park admission fees will be waived for workers and family members. The park is offering free glass bottom boat rides and excellent hiking trails.
The NSS-CDS thanks Park Manager Amy Conyers for making this possible and YOU ? the generous divers who have helped realize this and future projects.
I will announce when the sites will be open for diving soon.
Please continue to donate. We have many more plans to realize.
Wakulla Springs - Ferrell Tract Donation Fund - NSS CDS
Please register for the day (s) that you can volunteer and indicate if you have any tools that you are able to bring and any special skill you may have.
https://nsscds.org/event/wakulla-mee...ouse-workdays/
Plan for assembly area and steps.
03-02-2023 02:57 PM
Terry D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoober

Anything being opened for cavern certified divers or is all of this only full cave or only into and higher?

I wish I could tell you about more for cavern divers but in that area of Florida there is very little that I know to suggest. Meeting House has the upper cavern that may be divable as a cavern It will quickly be beyond the light zone and the cave entrance is at 220ffw. Emerald might be a better choice. I've heard there are other sites good for cavern but I'm not familiar with them. Maybe some one else can chime in with some suggestions.
03-04-2023 01:46 PM
Jont

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry D

EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK WILL OFFER TWO NEW SINKS TO BE AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED CAVE DIVERS.

After acquisition of the 717 acre Ferrell tract, Wakulla state park has two sinks that will be made available for qualified recreational cave divers in spring. The park has several goals to reach before reopening the parcel to the public. Among them are a split rail fence to border parking areas, kiosk installation, iron ranger installation, directional signage, and additional support structures as needed, i.e., dive bench or platform/stairs.
This a great opportunity for NSS-CDS membership involvement and get to experience two new dive sites. We also will be seeking funds to budget the work. We will determine times and details once we have volunteers and materials in place.
If you would like to volunteer or contribute to the material fund, please contact me, Terry DeRouin at programdirector@nsscds.org or 404-680-3694.
To quote the park management, ?we would love to continue to work with the dive community while we add opportunities to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our user groups.?
Many more details to follow.

Let me emphasize, these sinks ARE NOT OPEN and accessible yet. Please do not attempt access and ruin the progress we?ve made. It will be happening soon.

This sounds like a great thing and great work on your part. PM me I'd like to help and have a few ideas.
03-04-2023 02:08 PM
Draker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry D

I wish I could tell you about more for cavern divers but in that area of Florida there is very little that I know to suggest. Meeting House has the upper cavern that may be divable as a cavern It will quickly be beyond the light zone and the cave entrance is at 220ffw. Emerald might be a better choice. I've heard there are other sites good for cavern but I'm not familiar with them. Maybe some one else can chime in with some suggestions.

It?s been awhile, but if I recall correctly, the ?cave entrance? begins at about 120?, and the depth won?t reach 220?until you?re in about 400-600?.

When conditions allow, it?s a phenomenal ?cavern?, but not suitable for an untrained or inexperienced diver.

I?d highly recommend diving with a guide, a local with familiarity, or an instructor familiar with the system.

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03-04-2023 04:20 PM
ScubaGypsy

1 Attachment(s)

The Ferrell Cave is on the same property as Meeting House and is actually in the front and easier to access. It's a relatively small sink with one big room and a maximum depth of 100'. Should be considered in the near future, particularly for newer cave divers.

The following picture from December 2017.

Attachment 23961
03-05-2023 05:25 AM
JahJahwarrior

I recall diving Ferell and finding the large room, with relatively square profile, very impressive and neat. I?d love to dive it again!
06-13-2023 08:00 AM
Jont

Meeting House

Exa cutely how much money is needed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry D

EDWARD BALL WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK WILL OFFER TWO NEW SINKS TO BE AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED CAVE DIVERS.

After acquisition of the 717 acre Ferrell tract, Wakulla state park has two sinks that will be made available for qualified recreational cave divers in spring. The park has several goals to reach before reopening the parcel to the public. Among them are a split rail fence to border parking areas, kiosk installation, iron ranger installation, directional signage, and additional support structures as needed, i.e., dive bench or platform/stairs.
This a great opportunity for NSS-CDS membership involvement and get to experience two new dive sites. We also will be seeking funds to budget the work. We will determine times and details once we have volunteers and materials in place.
If you would like to volunteer or contribute to the material fund, please contact me, Terry DeRouin at programdirector@nsscds.org or 404-680-3694.
To quote the park management, ?we would love to continue to work with the dive community while we add opportunities to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our user groups.?
Many more details to follow.

Let me emphasize, these sinks ARE NOT OPEN and accessible yet. Please do not attempt access and ruin the progress we?ve made. It will be happening soon.
06-13-2023 09:31 AM
Terry D

We are still waiting for a formal approval from the state. I am optimistic that it will be finalized by the end of June. Assuming that happens, we will start the infrastructure work shortly there after. We have raised over $10,000 for the project which will let us accomplish most the items previously listed. Government has a tendency to move at it's own pace and all we can do is let it run it's course.
A huge thank you to all the people who have contributed and to the long list of volunteers ready to build this. If you can help, please let me know and if you have construction experience and or tools.
I can be contacted at Terry DeRouin at programdirector@nsscds.org or 404-680-3694.
06-25-2023 01:14 PM
Jont

Let's do this right, I'll cover the rest, whatever it takes let me know. I love meeting house its an amazing cave. 9176986640

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry D

We are still waiting for a formal approval from the state. I am optimistic that it will be finalized by the end of June. Assuming that happens, we will start the infrastructure work shortly there after. We have raised over $10,000 for the project which will let us accomplish most the items previously listed. Government has a tendency to move at it's own pace and all we can do is let it run it's course.
A huge thank you to all the people who have contributed and to the long list of volunteers ready to build this. If you can help, please let me know and if you have construction experience and or tools.
I can be contacted at Terry DeRouin at programdirector@nsscds.org or 404-680-3694.