Bonnett Springs

[lowvoltguy1972]

I was wondering about Bonnet Springs. From what I've read it hasn't been divable in years. Has the spring just dried up? Anyone have a opinion of what the future holds for this spring?

[Marc Bryan]

It was a gator issue. Maybe the floods have helped to relocate said gator.

[Me]

I was wondering about Bonnet Springs. From what I've read it hasn't been divable in years. Has the spring just dried up? Anyone have a opinion of what the future holds for this spring?

I dived there in March 2007. It's not that's it dried up, it's just that a BIG momma gator has moved in and is there most of the time. The rangers won't let you dive when she's there. We wanted to dive it March 2008, but she was there, so no-go.

We walked back to take a look in March 2008 and were being very quiet like Elmer Fudd hunting rabbits..... We spooked a heron (or some water bird), she squawked and took off which spooked the gator; we heard a HUGE splash ker-plunk of the gator hitting the water. We then ran the rest of the way up the trail to see. We didn't see her, but the water rings where she went in were large and the sound of the splash sounded like a freaking boulder went in.

[Sludge]

Sounds like potential shoes and luggage!

[Richard Atyeo]

dont forget dinner

[stairman]

Iwould have to agree on that one. Theres plenty of water in the area thats not a favorite divesite to chunk her. I walked down there last year and that thing is huge.

[SLIM]

It is a nice place. First time there Jay had to go and shake his white stick to make shure she was not there. We had permision but were told to look first and to give a report to make sure she or another one did not move in. Lucky for Jay, there was not gator and we got to dive.

SLIM

[Diverlee]

She has been there for years, its her nesting area. After she has the babies she sometimes leaves, only to return for the next nesting.

[Kelly Jessop]

It is not uncommon following a flood for the gator to relocate,that is the good news;the bad news is knowing Bonnet after a flood like this,it takes even longer than Peacock to clear up.

[lowvoltguy1972]

I guess I was confused by this statement on the Tampa diving site ... "Bonnet is still closed. It is just a big mud puddle with a very big alligator in it that goes into the cave when she sees people."