Peacock Springs

[alias]

Two years ago, Peacock, LR, etc were blown out for about 3 months. Last year I think it lasted about 5-6 weeks. It varies depending on rainfall in the area. Back before the drought, cave divers used to put their cave gear away in February/March and not plan on cave diving again until May/June. It looks like we may be heading back into that pattern again...for that area of cave country anyway...

All is well at the Mill Pond. The visibility in the 3 main systems there is just fine and conditions are pretty much unchanged. Hole in the Wall upstream isn't that great, but downstream is fine. So maybe just a change in dive plans is called for.

So, last year we were smart and planned a trip for January. This year playing with fire... I had no idea Feb was when floods used to start. To me spring begins in April (I come from far North), and that's when flooding should happen! I thought Feb was safe.

Thanks for the reality check with the times. I've looked at the river predictions, and I don't like the steady uphill most of them seem to have, neither the long term rain fall forecasts.

So, if I wanted to cave dive and wanted some variety I should probably look at visiting Marianna area for the first time. Not that I wanted to be driving back and forth when I only have 5 days to dive but anyway - I could not find JB opening hours anywhere (except for the park hours). Just in case, could anyone tell me how long is the diving day at JB if one wanted to divedivedive?

[chimie007]

- I could not find JB opening hours anywhere (except for the park hours). Just in case, could anyone tell me how long is the diving day at JB if one wanted to divedivedive?

JB is 24h/7 in winter. There is a gate with electronic access. You need to sign in at Edd's on the first day (daytime most likely).

[Sludge]

JB is 24h/7 in winter.

Actually it's 24/7/365 now. Except leap year, when it's 24/7/366.

[alias]

JB is 24h/7 in winter. There is a gate with electronic access. You need to sign in at Edd's on the first day (daytime most likely).

Great, I was hoping so but a little unsure if something needed to be returned to the shop during opening hours or so. Great for those days when one might be driving in in the morning and having a late start.

I assume if one is diving there >1 day, it's possible to pay/get the consequent day (pass) the previous day, so thattaway one can also get an early start if so desired? Or does it need to be day-stamped during shop hours?

[JerseyJersey]

thanks fo rthe pictures....so what is it that blows out the caves?

in case I am just being confusing not knowing the correct terminology..... is what makes the caves undiveable the water rising from the rivers or the water coming up from the aquafers underground?

[RN]

Great, I was hoping so but a little unsure if something needed to be returned to the shop during opening hours or so. Great for those days when one might be driving in in the morning and having a late start.

I assume if one is diving there >1 day, it's possible to pay/get the consequent day (pass) the previous day, so thattaway one can also get an early start if so desired? Or does it need to be day-stamped during shop hours?

You can prepurchase and presign in if you plan on heading to the park before 8am. Remember, there are 2 other backmountable caves on the Mill Pond. They require a boat to get to, but Cave Adventurers does rent pontoon boats. They can go out first thing in the morning and must be returned by 5pm to give enough time to get gear unpacked from the boat.

Between Labor Day and Memorial Day the park is there for cave divers and anyone who rents the pavilions. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the park is open Tuesday through Sunday for swimmers, as well. We can still cave dive (now), but parking is a little more of an issue.

[FW]

thanks fo rthe pictures....so what is it that blows out the caves?

in case I am just being confusing not knowing the correct terminology..... is what makes the caves undiveable the water rising from the rivers or the water coming up from the aquafers underground?

The *only* thing that makes them "un-divable" is the landowners. However, you would be crazy to dive them when they were syphoning, and full of black river water. The water from the aquifer is *usually* clear, but gets mixed with river water when the river gets as high as is it is right now. It takes awhile, and a lot of local rainfall to get the aquifer clear again. The reason you need local rainfall is that there is sand over the top of most N FL cave recharge areas, and it filters the runoff from reasonable, to clear water that goes into the aquifer.

Somebody needs to write hydrology 101 to put in the CDF resource area. Any voluneers? Jerry, Barbara, Jason, ...?

Things that people seem to need are:
1. How aquifers form
2. Why some are clearer than others
3. Hydrostatic head, vs river levels
4. Effects of sinkholes to a system (especially nitrate runoff)
5. River caves, vs sinkhole systems (like Peacock, Alachua, etc)

[sskasser]

The *only* thing that makes them "un-divable" is the landowners. However, you would be crazy to dive them when they were syphoning, and full of black river water. The water from the aquifer is *usually* clear, but gets mixed with river water when the river gets as high as is it is right now. It takes awhile, and a lot of local rainfall to get the aquifer clear again. The reason you need local rainfall is that there is sand over the top of most N FL cave recharge areas, and it filters the runoff from reasonable, to clear water that goes into the aquifer.

Somebody needs to write hydrology 101 to put in the CDF resource area. Any voluneers? Jerry, Barbara, Jason, ...?

Things that people seem to need are:
1. How aquifers form
2. Why some are clearer than others
3. Hydrostatic head, vs river levels
4. Effects of sinkholes to a system (especially nitrate runoff)
5. River caves, vs sinkhole systems (like Peacock, Alachua, etc)

Here's some basic starter info:
http://www.floridasprings.org/anatomy/jow/text/

Check out this map...hmmmm, where's cave country? What a coincidence
http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/aquiferbas..._floridan.html

[FW]

Here's some basic starter info:
http://www.floridasprings.org/anatomy/jow/text/

Check out this map...hmmmm, where's cave country? What a coincidence
http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/aquiferbas..._floridan.html

Yea, "cave country" includes AL, and GA too

Yep, good background info, but doesn't address flooding.

[sskasser]

Yep, good background info, but doesn't address flooding.

True, but how would it look if I were to actually post something useful? It would completely ruin my rep!