Little River Conditions

[inverted_bear]

I was there last week (I think 3/8) for full cave class. The basin was a little dark, but the cave was nice (30-45' I think). I can't speak to conditions relative to normal, but I thought viz was very comfortable.

[derek]

The basin is clear and water is over the rock retaining wall by about 6 inches. There is moderate flow, if the river falls the flow will increase substantially. The cave was fairly clear maybe 50ft.

[Troglodyver]

My buddies and I dove LR twice last week: 24 and 26 March. Conditions are great! Flow lower than I usually experience there. Viz 50 - 80 ft. A short run up the Harper Tunnel . . . fantastic.

The basin is clear and beautiful. Water level above 2nd step from the bottom, just over a foot above the perimeter walkway.

The park is re-opened to the public, so they are enjoying the park too. Be prepared for all the usual adoration, wonderment -- and questions -- from folks swimming there. Also for kids breath-holding down and making faces at you during your deco

- Sid

[cmint]

I dove it yesterday. The vis was probably in the 30-maybe40ish feet but with a lot of dusty particulate. The flow was moderate to strong but not a firehose like I have seen it.

The basin is clear and nice conditions for swimming/snorkeling.

There were a LOT of divers going in and out.

[BigTex1836]

The three of us arrived at LR this morning and were the only divers why we were there. Below is a picture of the site when I arrived. The tannic water was outside tips of the deco log but no further in to the cave. There was virtually no flow to speak of and the vis was great. An awesome day of diving today.

Eric

[MichaelAngelo]

Had the best dive of my career today at Little River with Stacy Bolte Dreher and Eric Parks. The river was up to the mid platform on the staircase with 0 vis. From the top of the staircase at the observation platform with my binoculars I saw the leaves on the surface of the spring remain perfectly still with the water without a boil or siphon cone. We tied off to the stair case and I felt the temperature of the Spring water before I could see the cave. It took a bit to find the entrance in the 0 vis. I may have created a satanic pentagram by accident while tying off my reel while trying fine the opening. If any portals to hell opened up while we were in the cave, - my bad. The cave opened up to no flow at all with unlimited visibility. By the time we saw the warning sign I knew this would be a special dive. Swimming was effortless and the vis allowed me to see the system in it's totality. We swam to the first "T" and turned right going the long way around the circuit to the second "T" again turned right heading to the Florida room. Swimming slowly and away from the line seeing the as if it was new. We turned just before the well casing at 200 psi before thirds. We agree to turn early so we'd have extra gas should the system turn to a siphon while we were still in it. The exit was a great pleasure while leisurely coasting out I saw beautiful multible colored clay banks and cave adapted crayfish, isopods and anthropods. We had about 40 minutes deco and still had 200 psi about final thirds in both my LP 80's and Al 80 stage. If you can dive Little River do it now before it goes under.

[double humper]

40 minutes deco ? D.H.

[WEPIV]

Sounds Great MA. Wish I had been with you three.

[rddvet]

40 minutes deco ? D.H.

I thought the same thing. Only thing I'lm thinking is maybe max and depth and average depth are much deeper than I think it is with the water at that level.

[FW]

I thought the same thing. Only thing I'lm thinking is maybe max and depth and average depth are much deeper than I think it is with the water at that level.

I think it is more likely that they were swimming, and that is a long dive.