Ginnie is Closed until 8/29, possibly longer

[cavewoman]

Just wanted to update everyone incase you didn't already hear, that Ginnie is closed until the 29th. The rising river coupled with the passing hurricane are leading to deteriorating conditions. I dove this afternoon and vis is down at least ten feet, water was clear in the system, but really green. Flow is way down.

[Steve Thacker]

Glad we got two dives in there yesterday! We also did two dives Friday and you could see the rise in water level just within one day. The water was high enough that it was a real pain getting in and out at Little Devil yesterday with hundreds of tubers competing for the space. A traffic cop was needed!!

[Mark Vlahos]

Oh well, I had planned on heading over tomorrow. I guess it is back to little River, unless the conditions there are not good.

[DogDiver]

Don't count on diving Little River for too many more days.

[a64pilot]

Hurricane is now going aground close to the big Easy, I don't think it's an issue anymore

[Mark Vlahos]

Little River is definitely diveable. Swimming against the flow is definitely work especially when you add a stage, but it is certainly doable. Visibility is in the 40'+ range between the entrance and the first T. The basin is very clear and the boil does not look bad at all, certainly not as strong as the flow actually is in the system. The water is covering the second wooden step on the stairs, pretty much where it was on Friday.

[Tracydr]

I know nothing about the Florida caves but how does the flow go down at Ginnie when it's been raining? That just seems so counterintuitive ?
Seems like if it rained and water filtered through to the ground system it would increase flow?

[kotik]

When the river level rises, hydrostatic pressure builds up against the water coming out of the entrance, and counteracts some of the opposing pressure due to those heavy white rock thingies

(Sorry folks-- importing some foolishness from another forum...)

Little River mentioned above seems to swing regularly from moderately strong spring flow to reverse flow (siphoning) when the river rises. I remember someone's video showing a whirlpool above the entrance when the river was high.

Rain does re-charge the aquifer that feeds a spring, but it takes time to travel down through the pores, so the effect isn't instant.

[DA Aquamaster]

Thanks for the update Mark. That's good news given that both Ginnie and Little River are planned destinations for us next week.

When the river level rises, hydrostatic pressure builds up against the water coming out of the entrance, and counteracts some of the opposing pressure due to those heavy white rock thingies

(Sorry folks-- importing some foolishness from another forum...)

Don't worry, if you read it on the internet it must be true. So...based on that, I'm assuming to overcome the pressure from the white rocks, the river has to rise 34% to 37% above it's normal level? This hydrostaticgeacquifer stuff is complicated.

[cavewoman]

Update: Looks like Ginnie will be opening tomorrow afterall. I'm hoping to get out there for a dive in the evening. Safe diving everyone!