Some caves are starting to go

[wingman]

It's now almost mid day on Tuesday August 26th and I am about to head out to try to dive Little River.
I did call the county park office (located elsewhere -- off Little River property) and was told that as far as they knew Little River was currently open and the river had not yet risen into the park and head spring area although they expect that to happen sometime this week.
I'll report back later what I find out there as I have not been able to find any info from any divers that have been to Little River since this past Fay weekend. (That also includes calling some dive shops.)
Guess I'll have to go see for myself...

I heard yesterday that the gate was locked at little river...maybe they opened it today though. Bill

[WEPIV]

Well, I did go to Little River early this afternoon (Tuesday 26th Aug.) and the gate was open and there was a handful of people swimming in the water near the river but the head spring looked just like it did back in April (or was it March) when I tried to swim down into a foot of vis and spent 20 some minutes not going hardly anywhere.
So, I did not bother to try that again as the tannic river water was up to the lower part of the wooden stair case and there was no flow (that I could see) coming from the spring. Although I did not go into the water -- I would call Little River 'undivable.'
Also, FYI -- the gate at Troy was closed with a sign saying that it was closed due to flooding.
And from what I heard at Dive Outpost P1 is looking bad but people were diving Orange Grove saying it was clear.
I can attest that Cow is beautiful with 100 plus percent vis in the upstream system (going back to at least 1000 feet) and the downstream also looked good for about 200 feet or so.
Just wanted to let people know what conditions were today....

[sskasser]

Thanks for the updates! Keep 'em coming! I've planning to head up to cave country for the long weekend and want all the news I can get!

[Gary]

Although I did not go into the water -- I would call Little River 'undivable.'

It's neat to dive into the spring when it's under tanic and break into clear water. I've tried it when there was a swirl on the surface though and found myself getting sucked in - very frightening.

Was there a whirlpool or leaves/debris on the surface above the spring? Or was the surface still clear of surface gatherings?

[WEPIV]

Gary -- you and I met at Little River I believe back in June.
Yes, there was already debris in the head spring area including what looked like a diaper of all things along with a bunch of other river accumulated trash.
And the only flow I could see at all seemed to be the small waves of river water coming into the head spring basin.
And as I mentioned, based on what I found the last time it looked like this (and I decided to go under and check it out) I made the call not to try it again yesterday.
I hear that the rivers are supposed to crest this week and who knows what Gustave is going to do....

[jeandiver]

We are diving Ginnie this evening (Wed) and I will post a report out here on conditions there...

Thanks!
Jean

[WEPIV]

Have fun out at Ginnie later today Jean. I called them earlier this morning and was told that both the Ear and Eye were still clear and easily accessible. I'm planning on going later in the week and hope I'll be able to...

Gene

[jeandiver]

Have fun out at Ginnie later today Jean. I called them earlier this morning and was told that both the Ear and Eye were still clear and easily accessible. I'm planning on going later in the week and hope I'll be able to...

Gene

Gene:
Awesome. I'll post a report later tonight if all goes well.

Jean

[Gary]

including what looked like a diaper of all things along with a bunch of other river accumulated trash.

Nasty! I hope I don't run into THAT in the cave.

Thanks!

[EGIB]

Dove Manatee this morning with two friends who hadn't been there before. Swam upstream from Catfish...hit Sue's sink and one of them called the dive. Horrible visibility, extreme flow. Worst Manatee dive I've ever done! We decided to head to Ginnie instead of doing a second dive there.

The water in the spring run is beginning to look tannic due to the river water flowing over the tarp they have set up. There is absolutely no flow...it was eerie. Visibility is not horrible but not crystal clear like Ginnie normally is...all of the water has a strange river water type tint to it. I heard visibility up in Mainland is down to a few feet in the back due to river intrusion as well. Only two or three steps were uncovered at little devil's as of 4pm.