Water Temp in Caves

[metaldector]

I've been diving a couple of springs a lot lately but not getting up to cave country since the flooding. In reviewing the water temperatures from my past dives in these two systems I've noticed that the water temperature has increase by 2.1 degrees. What used to be 72 degrees year after year is now 74.1 degrees. At first I thought it an anomaly but after 6 dives in both places and getting the same temperature each time I know it is real.

What has caused the temperature to rise in these systems? My guess is it is due to the recent rains. In the past few years with minimal rain the water pumping was 'old water'. Water that percolated years underground before surfacing. The water that is now pumping is a mixture of recent rains and old water so the temperature has gone up from the influx of 'new' rain water.

The question is two fold: 1). Have you noticed an increase temperature in the systems you dive most often, and 2). Does my theory hold any 'water'?

Comments please.

[Sludge]

The first thing that comes to mind is what are you using to measure temperature? As wonderful as dive computers are, their thermometers are notoriously pathetic.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

These aren't tidally influenced systems with saltwater intrusion are they? Have you identified consistent temps throughout or possibly multiple water sources?

Springs up here are staying consistant, cept for the stuff that normally varies.

[FW]

I heard people saying the temps in the Luraville and Madison areas seemed lower that pre-flood.

[metaldector]

No these are just Ocala spring water sites. Could it be that my Duo is out of wack. I'll have to check it against someone else's at the same site.

[chimie007]

wingman (Bill Huth) would probably have some good data to this. He has put some sensors in some caves to help a grad student (forgot his name).... I know they had some at Ginnie during the "big" flood.

I just PM him about this thread.