Anyone been to Manatee since the flood?
River gauges show the lower Suwannee has only gone up a couple feet. Manatee Spring State Park shows that they have closed the spring run to swimmers, but wondering if this has impacted cave diving conditions upstream of Catfish?
Anyone been there this past weekend/week?
I haven't been lately, but historically the best diving at Manatee is when the river is up. The flow is down then, and the visibility improves.Originally Posted by mer
I've not been down there, but my guess is that from the conditions here (about 10 miles upstream) is that the system is blown. It's been so very dry here for so long that even systems like Manatee, which used to never go dark, go under even during slight floods.
My buddy that lives around there called me today and said Manatee was open for cave diving. I'm going up this weekend, so I"ll post an update after the weekend.
if any one is interested in manatee springs you can always call the park directly @ (352) 493-6072 or check the web @ http://www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/
i was told a day ago that the park was closed to open water divers, but i haven't inquired about cave diving.
Some friends dived there yesterday and said it was a "little milky, but otherwise good, no flow. Water was almost to the bath house on the spring side and water covered at least 6 steps and platform at Catfish."
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Dove to Pillar room this morning, vis was great 60-80' or so. Flow wasn't very noticeable. Mosquitoes were no joke, swarmed pretty solidly on us bringing gear to the sink. Better to do the trips in dry suit, hood and gloves.
Deer were hanging out in the parking lot. Reminded us we need to get down there more often.
Don't forget the tick check! A few hitched back on my dive gear from Manatee today, the ticks (and skeeters) are brutal there.
We dived into the catfish hotel entrance on 6th Jul (Friday) and the water was crystal clear with no flow. We got eaten alive by the mozzies tho!
No Flow in Manatee? I gotta get down there real soon. With all the rain, bugs are bound to be bad. Dont foget your Off.
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