Madison Blue Spring

[flyczek]

I called the Ranger today to get a conditions report. He told me Martz sink was still clear, but then later tonight he called me back to tell me that the conditions had deteriorated and the park was closed to diving. So much for my Saturday plans.

I do have to say many thanks to the great park Rangers we have, not many government workers would take the time to return a long distance call, after hours, to save a diver a trip.

[thmoose51]

I was headed down there in the morning. Is there anyway to contact the ranger and get a heads up?

[Jim Clark]

I was headed down there in the morning. Is there anyway to contact the ranger and get a heads up?

Try 850 971-5003 or 386 362-2746.

[cavemark]

I am wondering if it would not be prudent to consider the sections of buried line as gaps and install temporary/permanent runs of new main line to jump the gaps with alternate wrap and tie points. It may be a long time before the flow has re-scoured those sections. If the line is lengthened and lifted above the new fill, then as it is erodes away again the line will have to be re-tightened to prevent loose line.

The next thing we'll find is that someone will design a Silent Submersion backhoe and try to hasten the natural erosion process to "put the cave back that way it should be".

[Jim Wyatt]

I got the e-mail below last night from Lance Ohl, the primary safety officer for Madison Blue Spring.

______________________________
Jim Clark & I dove Madison today. We finished repairs to the Banana Jump.
Vis is poor to fair, 30-50, and flow is significant.

Gold line looks OK but we did not go far. Instead we chose to check out the Cross-under tunnel.

It is really messed up. The line in the first room was broken, we put in a temp replacement to the old heavy line. Flow is strong.

About 100 feet in to the small tunnel the heavy line goes underground. We did not have the line, air, tools or time to properly repair the line. As-is the tunnel should NOT be dove.

I am trying to put together a repair party for early next week. We will repair or replace the line as needed.

[FW]

I am trying to put together a repair party for early next week. We will repair or replace the line as needed.

Thanks Jim !