Peacock 1 report Friday 2/15/19

[MORGAN]

Peacock was declared open by the park service this morning, and Tracy and I scampered right over there from Dive Outpost.

First divers to sign in since 12/12/18. Did a 65 minute dive - out Pothole line to the midpoint, and then out the Peanut line to the bottom of the Breakdown Room. We wanted to see both lines.

The basin is mildly tannic, vis about 30 feet. Lots of sticks and algae on the submerged steps. The steps above the water line and the boardwalk have been recently pressure washed. There's a visible boil and a more than usual outflow. Cavern area slightly tannic, dusty, 30 feet of vis.

Pothole line dusty, smoky, vis 30+ feet. Areas of weed and mung on line, but line not obscured.

Peanut line also smoky but better vis, 40+ feet. Less crap on the line.

We had a very enjoyable dive. My guess from the strength of the flow is that the river would have to rise quite a bit to reverse it again.

We didn't look at Orange Grove - the ranger reported 6-8 feet visibility in the basin.


Mike & Tracy

[Diverlee]

Awesome!!!
You guys should stick around and dive with me this weekend.


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[MORGAN]

Awesome!!!
You guys should stick around and dive with me this weekend.


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We should, but we're already in Marianna! See you next time!

[jason]

Did you notice anything slimey on the walls (bacteria growths, etc.)

[MORGAN]

Didn't notice any - the walls have silt and dust on them, but I didn't notice any bacteria colonies.

[Victoria]

Does it normally have bacteria on the wall? How does it get there? Does plant matter get in there and start to rot?

[jason]

Does it normally have bacteria on the wall? How does it get there? Does plant matter get in there and start to rot?

There is a lot of organic material (mostly dissolved) in river water during reversals. The organic matter can fuel bacterial blooms (natural) that cause the caves to lose all dissolved oxygen and for thin biofilms to grow on the walls (they're not as dramatic as the biofilm in the insulation room or in SW Florida). Reversals during winter tend to be colder, so the bacterial activity is slower. I was wondering if the long duration of this reversal might have allowed some of the biofilms to take hold. At any rate, I'm going to poke around when I'm up there in about two weeks.

[Victoria]

There is a lot of organic material (mostly dissolved) in river water during reversals. The organic matter can fuel bacterial blooms (natural) that cause the caves to lose all dissolved oxygen and for thin biofilms to grow on the walls (they're not as dramatic as the biofilm in the insulation room or in SW Florida). Reversals during winter tend to be colder, so the bacterial activity is slower. I was wondering if the long duration of this reversal might have allowed some of the biofilms to take hold. At any rate, I'm going to poke around when I'm up there in about two weeks.

Thanks for explaining.
I saw a video on YouTube where a guy who was doing a cave dive just shoved his hand into a huge pile of bacteria which looked like poop. He seemed real proud of himself in the video for doing that. I just thought he was gross. I was hoping a turtle would bite him.

[diverdarren]

Thanks, Victoria. I love posts that make me laugh!

[edl]

Any recent reports as to conditions at peacock and Madison blu