Manatee Update 5/22/14

[Brent]

Just returned from a dive at Manatee and here's the latest. All that talk about 80 feet vis and low flow???
Past tense! Seven of us in three groups all met after our dives and the "best" estimate on Vis was 40 feet and that might even be somewhat optimistic. We were all swimming and entered at Catfish and some of the teams got up to Friedmans but nothing beyond that point. There was a DPV team going out to around 4800 feet and it is possible that the vis would be better at that point due to the proximity of some water source tunnels but for you swimmers, it's relative high flow and almost normal Manatee Vis!
Life comes at you fast.

Brent

[rddvet]

Sounds pretty accurate. Dove there today. Made it 100 ft shy of friedman's with a stage. Low flow in some areas and then ripping flow in others. It was probably 30 ft viz most of the way. Opened up some at she's and as we got close to friedman's but I'd say 60ft viz at best in the best spots.

It was my first time there so I don't have a point of reference for flow. I'll say it was enough that to me it's not worth getting at the gate before 8 and possibly getting told no go.

[Win brown]

Sounds pretty accurate. Dove there today. Made it 100 ft shy of friedman's with a stage. Low flow in some areas and then ripping flow in others. It was probably 30 ft viz most of the way. Opened up some at she's and as we got close to friedman's but I'd say 60ft viz at best in the best spots.

It was my first time there so I don't have a point of reference for flow. I'll say it was enough that to me it's not worth getting at the gate before 8 and possibly getting told no go.

I dive manatee very regularly and was there today as well . Flow was still low compared to normal manatee conditions .

[tursiops]

May 24 notice on Manatee website says no diving. It this new today? Was thinking of going tomorrow!

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[floridabob]

No open water diving. Cave ok.

We were there today, Saturday, and the viz past Friedmans was still top notch.

[Andreas]

There was a DPV team going out to around 4800 feet and it is possible that the vis would be better at that point due to the proximity of some water source tunnels but for you swimmers, it's relative high flow and almost normal Manatee Vis!

Correct. That DPV team saw better visibility and lower flow after passing the Sewer tunnel and the "usual suspects". =)
Here are some pictures from that day, and I will add more during the week..
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=2317fd518b

[shellmoundal]

Flow was less than normal but still had a good flow. If you are use to diving Peacock then the flow would be high. We easily past Sue and found it moderate. The viz was no better than 40 ft at best. Always a large dark cave but very interesting. I dive this cave at least twice a month so I can say that the flow is down from normal.
It sure beats the crowd at Ginnie.

[scottj]

To be clear Catfish is open to Cave and OW divers currently. Only the headspring is closed to both. Friedman is open to cave diving under the usual 2-team limit.