Jess's Hole

[Cindy]

They are not the same, but look similar because they are both examples
of "no go, no flow" caves. This type is usually found in sinkhole plain areas. These are the most delicate of all the underwater caves. It is common to see places in the rock that look to have tiny holes like lacework. You get the feeling that in that stagnant environment the rock just sort of rots away particle by particle. The surface of the rock is usually very soft or even mushy. You may have heard that "Caves heal with time" - this is largely an erroneous statement and in relation to these caves is totally false.Any mark you make,which means Anything you touch is damage that will last through human history. Even your bubbles will cause damage to the ceiling. I saw a bit of some video where some divers were tearing the place up pretty good on one dive.
As much as I hate to disagree with Cindy on anything, I would say that
such a place is not good for practising "Vertical cave diving" techniques
as there are plenty of quarries and sinkholes which are used by the locals
which can stand the wear where a delicate cave really can't.
Btw- In answer to a previous question, Squirrel Chiimney is another example of this type of cave, one small room, extremely delicate, and a real pain to get in and out of. Private and off limits to diving as most of these places should be. And yes, there are scientists who monitor it
to check on the ultra rare palemonetes cummingi shrimp. Paul Smith

Shoot Paul, I'm wrong on a regular basis! Great to see you posting! No shrimp but lots of large Alachua crayfish. Please come back and point out the errors in my ways any day. Cindy

[Cindy]

They are not the same, but look similar because they are both examples
of "no go, no flow" caves. This type is usually found in sinkhole plain areas. These are the most delicate of all the underwater caves. It is common to see places in the rock that look to have tiny holes like lacework. You get the feeling that in that stagnant environment the rock just sort of rots away particle by particle. The surface of the rock is usually very soft or even mushy. You may have heard that "Caves heal with time" - this is largely an erroneous statement and in relation to these caves is totally false.Any mark you make,which means Anything you touch is damage that will last through human history. Even your bubbles will cause damage to the ceiling. I saw a bit of some video where some divers were tearing the place up pretty good on one dive.
As much as I hate to disagree with Cindy on anything, I would say that
such a place is not good for practising "Vertical cave diving" techniques
as there are plenty of quarries and sinkholes which are used by the locals
which can stand the wear where a delicate cave really can't.
Btw- In answer to a previous question, Squirrel Chiimney is another example of this type of cave, one small room, extremely delicate, and a real pain to get in and out of. Private and off limits to diving as most of these places should be. And yes, there are scientists who monitor it
to check on the ultra rare palemonetes cummingi shrimp. Paul Smith

Thanks Paul for the info. I read some of the posts on the shrimp. Interesting reading to be sure and it amazing that it located so close by in a booming area. Is the shrimp population holding or on the decline?
Tom

Last I heard Tom the Shrimp are missing in action. Sad days for caves adapted animals. Cindy