Mill Pond

[rhlee]

We're coming to town next week for some diving and were wondering what the current status of the Mill Pond is. I remember reading here months ago about plans to drain it; is it still drained? What sites are accessible?

thanks,
-Rob

[Captain Bil]

JB is still accessible, just a little more of a walk to water's edge. Hole and Twin are accessible as well, just not in the traditional manner. If you have a kayak or canoe you can launch without the aid of a boat ramp, no problem. As for the other sites (Gator, Shangri-La, etc.), I'm not sure. Canoes should do it but talk to Cave Adventurers. Edd's boats are out of the water right now and I believe the boat ramp is too. Cave Adventurers has the most up to date info. I heard the other day that the plans are to close the dam back up on March 1st and begin refilling.

[RN]

The pond is still down. All caves are accessible by small watercraft, meaning ones you can pick up and carry into the water. You will be walking in knee deep muck, though. Plans are to begin raising the dam Thursday. Hopefully the pond will fill enough by next week to get boats back into it but I wouldn't count on it.

[Teppo]

The pond is still down.Plans are to begin raising the dam Thursday. Hopefully the pond will fill enough by next week to get boats back into it but I wouldn't count on it.

Would you recon that it will affect the vis in caves when the water rises`?

Teppo

[RN]

Would you recon that it will affect the vis in caves when the water rises`?

Teppo

Doubtful. The rain we've gotten recently has more of an effect on it than raising the dam will. There might be a decrease in flow due to the increased hydrostatic pressure, but that's not likely to have much of an effect.

[scubabrownie]

Rob Neto could also give an up to date status on the system, too...sorry about that Rob.

[scubabrownie]

Marianna received anywhere from 4-6 inches of rain on Saturday (3-3-12). I did a dive back to 1500 feet on Sunday (3-4-12). Viz was 15-30 feet. Might take a few days to clear back out. I would contact Edd at Cave Adventurer's to get an up to date report.


Brian

[diveongas]

We're coming to town next week for some diving and were wondering what the current status of the Mill Pond is. I remember reading here months ago about plans to drain it; is it still drained? What sites are accessible?

thanks,
-Rob

They have starting to fill Mill Pond back-up.

[SLIM]

Today the pond is back to what I would call normal for this time of year. Even the launch ramp is open for boats even pontoon boats can be launched. Vis is not to bad. depending on where you are in the system of JB. Have to read another thread for that.

SLIM

[RN]

Really? I stopped by the launch today and the water level was still pretty low. Even with backing my van to the very edge of the concrete my pontoon would still be above the water. I'll be launching my jon boat there but only because I have a tilt trailer. Without the tilt trailer that probably wouldn't happen either.