Madison conditions and river levels.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Making a trip further east than usual this week, just hoping to get a little assistance on conditions at Madison. We'll be diving elsewhere as well, but I figured we'd be safe as long as Madison doesn't blow.

I track the water levels along some of the panhandle stuff, but not so much further East. Using http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydro...ew=1,1,1,1,1,1 and maybe http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydro...ew=1,1,1,1,1,1 where would I have to start worrying about Madison getting a bit inundated to the point of the park closing off diving? I know its not an exact science, just looking for a ballpark.

[FW]

.... where would I have to start worrying about Madison getting a bit inundated to the point of the park closing off diving? I know its not an exact science, just looking for a ballpark.

There isn't a river level that will tell you. It is more dependant on whether the river is rising. In dry weather, the river can come up just a few feet, and overpower the aquifer. When the cave is really flowing, it take a lot more river rise to reverse.

[deanme]

I dove Madison Blue on Saturday. Flow was kicking. Viz was a bit silty up to the Martz tunnel, then cleared up. Temperature was 69 degrees. River was a bit low.

More important, lunch was at Archies in Lee. Temperature was hot. Volumn of onion rings was high. Tast and service was excellent.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

There isn't a river level that will tell you. It is more dependant on whether the river is rising. In dry weather, the river can come up just a few feet, and overpower the aquifer. When the cave is really flowing, it take a lot more river rise to reverse.

Thanks, the river is rising according to the river level meters, so I guess we'll just go and see if its risen enough on Friday. The rains on Saturday and Sunday(last weekend) had me a bit worried, not too worried... plenty of other stuff out there to dive that will be fine.

[FW]

Thanks, the river is rising according to the river level meters, so I guess we'll just go and see if its risen enough on Friday. The rains on Saturday and Sunday(last weekend) had me a bit worried, not too worried... plenty of other stuff out there to dive that will be fine.

If it rains near the spring (I.E. into the aqufier) conditions usually improve. If it rains up river, then it can reverse. The best conditions are when the river goes up, but not enough to reverse. The flow goes down, and the visibility improves. Let's hope for the best!

[MORGAN]

Did two dives in Madison today - out the mail line to the Dropoff, and then the Godzilla circuit. Flow moderate, vis good, a little fine particulate in the water in the area of the Banana Room jump, otherwise clear.

Mike

[FW]

Did two dives in Madison today - out the mail line to the Dropoff, and then the Godzilla circuit. Flow moderate, vis good, a little fine particulate in the water in the area of the Banana Room jump, otherwise clear.

Mike

Darn, I wish we had gone there instead of Cow :-(
Nice meeting you and Tracy!

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Thanks for the update Mike!

[MORGAN]

Darn, I wish we had gone there instead of Cow :-(
Nice meeting you and Tracy!

Next time!

It was nice meeting you as well - hope we cross paths again soon.

Mike

[FW]

FYI, the off gassing portion of this thread has been moved to the Fill Station, which seems appropriate