Madison "Blue" Springs 3-25-2012

[rsanders]

My buddy Paul and I dove Madison on Sunday morning. It had just been re-opened for divers and swimmers, and the ranger said we were the first ones in.

The basin was opaque brownish green, and visibly boiling. The flow seemed higher than the last few times I'd been. Once in the cavern, the vis was about 10-20 feet. Turning the corner towards the sign, we found the line buried 2-3 feet deep in silt on that hill before the sign.

Vis dropped to more like 5-10 ft in places, and the line was buried in many more places, but usually only for a few feet. We took the Godzilla jump and found the going pretty mucky. We only ok'd the line in a couple of places, but we never got far from it. Still had a pretty good time, if only because it seemed like a whole new cave.

The ranger (Penny) told us that rains in S. Georgia were likely to keep Madison blown out for a couple of weeks yet. Definitely check before planning any trips there.

-- Robert

[w ripley]

Thanks for the update. Was thinking about stopping by and checking, so thanks.

[Kelly Jessop]

Please note: Madison was opened last weekend for swimmers,NOT divers. There was a miscommunication that occurred. Park management will look this morning at the diving situation,but may not be open for awhile. Please call first before making the trip to Madison.

[rsanders]

Please note: Madison was opened last weekend for swimmers,NOT divers.

We thought it was a bit cruddy, but no worse than we had been trained to deal with.

Just out of curiosity, what determines whether the park is opened for diving? And do some volunteers go in to clean up a bit before it is re-opened? Between the buried sections and the huge knots of weed and debris sticking to parts of the line, it looked like 20 years had passed since I was last in it 5 weeks ago.

[Kelly Jessop]

We thought it was a bit cruddy, but no worse than we had been trained to deal with.

Just out of curiosity, what determines whether the park is opened for diving? And do some volunteers go in to clean up a bit before it is re-opened? Between the buried sections and the huge knots of weed and debris sticking to parts of the line, it looked like 20 years had passed since I was last in it 5 weeks ago.

We have gotten so used to not having the normal spring rains,that we have forgotten what the caves look like following a flood. They look very rejuevenated,and if enough organic material enters,they look like the day they were first explored.

The state parks aim for 20ft of visibility. Where possible the line committee will do a site assessment,especially to make sure that any syphoned branches don't break lines.

[ianr33]

. Please call first before making the trip to Madison.

Who do we call? Thanks

[Kelly Jessop]

Who do we call? Thanks

Call the park,but as of right now I understand it is closed for diving