Morrison Springs Cavern Map

[GARY JACKSON]

Hello Cave Diver Folks,

I need some help. Way back in 1962 I was fortunate enough to have visited the lower cavern in Morrison Springs before it was dynamited. I can vividly remember taking my tanks off and pushing them through the crack in the floor and then putting them back on again on the other side. I was young (21) and immortal but I realized that if anything went wrong I was going to die. I was an accomplished open water diver, but this was a completly new and unique experience. There were just the two of us there, me and a blind white catfish. Yes, I was in there without a buddy, very foolish I admit. Upon reaching 130 feet, common sense and good judgement prevailed and I exited without incident. That was my one and only time into an underwater cave. I consequently went on to a sport at the opposite end of the spectrum, skydiving. I still kept my interest in Speleology but that is another story.

Now to the subject of this message. I have been trying to obtain a copy of the Morrison Springs Cavern map, but to no avail. The only map I can find is at The Florida Caves Site. The resolution is very poor, and most of the text is illegible. Also, it is protected and won't print. I did contact someone that was a source for maps, but was informed that for safety reasons, only qualified cave divers were allowed to purchase maps. Since the cavern is closed anyway this seems to be irrelevant. I even promised not to go back to Florida and clear the entrance, but was still refused. I have maps and or pictures of of every cave I have been in save one, Morrison Springs. Please contact me and let me know of any person or organization that could help me with this issue.

Regards
Gary R. Jackson

[D1V3R]

That's a pretty difficult cave to go into with or w/o training (from what I understand), According to one of Sheck Exley's Books (don't remember which one) it has some of the strongest flows of the springs in Florida.

I guess you have seen the maps on FloridaCaves.com

[Genesis]

I've dove there quite a bit over the last year, and have played around the vents (there are two "larger" ones now, post-dynamiting)

There are reports that someone has managed to go no-mount and get through. I'd have to see that with my own eyes to believe it - one of them I don't think is possible at all, and the other might be, but not for me; I don't think my HEAD would fit through that hole, say much less my body.

The flow is outrageous as well - it is literally mask-ripping if you turn your head.

Its a cool dive though, even in its current state. When I want a quick dip in fresh water I still head over there once in a while....

I don't have anything more than the ones on the various web sites in terms of maps......

[rchrds]

There are two commonly known maps of Morrison. One is circa 1984, Grade B, Bushnell, McKennon, et al. It is post dynamite and describes only the lower (large) room in both plan and profile views. This is most likely the map that you have seen online. Wayne McKennon, one of the surveyors is an instructor at Diver's Den in Dothan, Al. and can be contacted there. The other map has no name or date, but is reminiscent of some of Sheck's sketch maps and is profile only- it shows the lower room (depicted as the "Second Room") and the "Deep Tunnel" which shows a mud restriction at -240 feet. It does say "Showing features before 1968 blasting operation."

If you would like a copy of the second map, PM me and I will email a low res copy.

Jason

[GARY JACKSON]

Jason,

Thanks for responding to my post. I have the two maps you referenced, and have in fact "cleaned-up" some of the text on both. I had to take digital photos off my monitor screen and process them with several different programs to make them ledgible. I now understand the discrepancy in the depth of the "Entrance" at 65 feet on the detailed map as opposed to my recollection that it was at 90 feet as depicted on the pre 1968 profile map. The 'Crack in the floor" leading to the lower cavern was actually under the large object in the second room. I have corrected the drawing to indicate this. The detailed map doesn't indicate where the "crack in the floor" was. Could you describe where it would be on the detailed map. Thanks again.

Gary