Indian Questions

[StaceyS]

Yesterday was my first dive at Indian. Until we arrived at the T, the water was chilly (64) and viz was terrible. Once we got to the upstream section, the water warmed up and was probably the clearest water I have ever seen. The downstream section was still warm but the viz was no where near that of the upstream section. Why is the upstream section crystal clear yet up until the T, you couldn't see anything?

Stacey

[caverkevin]

you must have been narc'ed

[Kelly Jessop]

Yesterday was my first dive at Indian. Until we arrived at the T, the water was chilly (64) and viz was terrible. Once we got to the upstream section, the water warmed up and was probably the clearest water I have ever seen. The downstream section was still warm but the viz was no where near that of the upstream section. Why is the upstream section crystal clear yet up until the T, you couldn't see anything?

Stacey

The T represents the upstream/downstream junction,and the mud flats to the entrance is more of an offset sink. The water is chilly because of the water turnover (the basin was clear-right),and this cold water makes it to the junction. Visibility upstream will be better because 1) this is a spring versus a syphon and 2) the size of the passage is smaller,so less turbidity to illuminate between yourself and the wall.

[LiteHedded]

What a gorgeous cave

[swadiver]

Indian is a great and beautiful dive. i have been lucky enough to have done it many times. i just want to add my thanks to the YMCA for the access and to the guides that volunteer their time not only to guide the dives but also do volunteer work to help maintain the property and facilities for the YMCA

[StaceyS]

you must have been narc'ed

I wasn't narced.

[StaceyS]

The T represents the upstream/downstream junction,and the mud flats to the entrance is more of an offset sink. The water is chilly because of the water turnover (the basin was clear-right),and this cold water makes it to the junction. Visibility upstream will be better because 1) this is a spring versus a syphon and 2) the size of the passage is smaller,so less turbidity to illuminate between yourself and the wall.

I would say the basin was relatively clear with a green tint.

The upstream passage is smaller than the downstream? I would love to see downstream when it's clearer then

[Bob Cree]

Hey Stacey!

Must have been your guide that blew the vis.

Amazing place, isn't it. The first time I saw the downstream with good vis - ahhh, dang, your mouth will fall open. Truely a priveledge to be there.

Very interesting hydrology with the run coming into play, perhaps making the downstream more of the "offset". It seems to me, that with any kind of flow through the entrance restriction, upstream is cobalt blue and downstream crap - like a huge vast murky wall. Really not sure why.

Was the flow up?

[wingman]

Hi Stacey, we checked in and dove it the next day, saw your name on the sign in sheet. We did not go downstream but went to the end of the gold line upstream and the visibility was great after the t...the mud tunnel entry area was bad (about 15 feet or so) but have seen it worse. Deco was very cold...Bill

[CAVDVR]

I'm a little late in posting this, but my guide Wayne and Jeff and myself dove Indian on Jan. 26,2011 and experienced about the same conditions. The basin vis. was poor about 5-10 feet. This was also my first dive at Indian so I had to make sure that I didn't loose site of the line. Vis got better as we approached the "T" and we continued on upstream and turned on thirds. Came back to the "T" and went upstream for a peak to the 800' marker and then back and out.
The water temp was 69 at the surface and 63 at depth 145'. Flow was minimal.
Is there a certain time of the year that the vis is better, barring weather, flooding, etc.?
Thanks, can't wait to go back!