Buford.

[ls7corvete]

Hello,

Any of y'all have more details on the construction at Buford?

[Walter Pickel]

They are putting in a boardwalk and a rock base on the tram road.

http://www18.swfwmd.state.fl.us/Erp/...c/xw5p1xgj.pdf

http://www.myflorida.com/apps/vbs/ad...SSSECTIONS.PDF

[phreaticus53]

WOW!

So much for the "protection of the swamp" to keep Buford from being pummeled with human traffic.
Glad I saw it 40 years ago in it's pristine beauty.

[Walter Pickel]

WOW!

So much for the "protection of the swamp" to keep Buford from being pummeled with human traffic.
Glad I saw it 40 years ago in it's pristine beauty.

I agree Steve but to be honest, it has taken a beating. There was a makeshift gravel path a local had been putting in by carrying 5 gallon buckets of gravel, the survey makers, then the lines, and now the traffic seems more like free divers than scuba divers.

My first dive there was in 2002, so not quite 40

[phreaticus53]

I sent the links to Will Walters, who discovered Buford in 1974 or so.
Wonder what he thinks?
I agree, it's been ravaged for years....I wonder when the first fatality will occur...after all it's a cave environment beyond 130-140 or so, and pretty silty back around the restriction at 160. Any idea what the diving criteria will be....or will it be an open water training cluster f..k?
I know the CWMA regs changed with more restrictions....but probably not enough, considering the current situation.

[Walter Pickel]

I sent the links to Will Walters, who discovered Buford in 1974 or so.
Wonder what he thinks?
I agree, it's been ravaged for years....I wonder when the first fatality will occur...after all it's a cave environment beyond 130-140 or so, and pretty silty back around the restriction at 160. Any idea what the diving criteria will be....or will it be an open water training cluster f..k?
I know the CWMA regs changed with more restrictions....but probably not enough, considering the current situation.

167 to the tips. Given the varying usage, I am pleasantly surprised we have not had an incident there.

[phreaticus53]

No incidents....yet!

The increased ease of access will draw a "less dedicated" (meaning lower levels of training/experience) diving population....meaning the odds of an "incident" (don't you just love semantics!) will increase multifold.....simple probability.

When do they expect the work to be completed?

[phreaticus53]

The first link you posted is no longer available as of this morning...maybe my question was answered there?

[Walter Pickel]

The pulled the file; so much for the sunshine. I guess I should not of shared it.

[ls7corvete]

They are putting in a boardwalk and a rock base on the tram road.

http://www18.swfwmd.state.fl.us/Erp/...c/xw5p1xgj.pdf

http://www.myflorida.com/apps/vbs/ad...SSSECTIONS.PDF

Thank you Walter.

I look forward to being able to get down there easier.

I heard 4 months of construction.