Manatee Spring

[kensuf]

Thanks so much for that, kensuf. That helps a lot. Could not find much about the Blue Water tunnel's location. Yes, given what little we heard of Blue Water and a few other side passages from mainline, we were [ and did for one side tunnel trip] 100% going to swim it, so much the better to take in the details.

The well casing is possibly one of the 'water sampling' wells that one sees on the hiking trail.

OK.. A few more specifics, and bear with me, it's been like 10 years since I've been there..

The blue water tunnel is right after the main tunnel jogs to the left, then to the right. Basically, the main passage will shift to the left a little bit but still head the same direction. The blue water tunnel entrance will be on the bottom left side of the cave.

There are some jumps you can scooter back in with no problems. The siphon tunnel and spring tunnel (both past 6000' from Friedmans) are easily scooter territory. There's also a tunnel right after Catfish on the right which goes back about 5000' before you hit some side-mount passage which eventually ties into the siphon tunnel.

I've got some maps of Manatee somewhere (or I did at least). I'll see if I can dig them up and scan them in, but it may be a few weeks because honestly I have no idea where they may be..

Manatee's a great cave, I used to have a lot of fun diving that place.

[saturation]

OK.. A few more specifics, and bear with me, it's been like 10 years since I've been there..

The blue water tunnel is right after the main tunnel jogs to the left, then to the right. Basically, the main passage will shift to the left a little bit but still head the same direction. The blue water tunnel entrance will be on the bottom left side of the cave.

There are some jumps you can scooter back in with no problems. The siphon tunnel and spring tunnel (both past 6000' from Friedmans) are easily scooter territory. There's also a tunnel right after Catfish on the right which goes back about 5000' before you hit some side-mount passage which eventually ties into the siphon tunnel.

I've got some maps of Manatee somewhere (or I did at least). I'll see if I can dig them up and scan them in, but it may be a few weeks because honestly I have no idea where they may be..

Manatee's a great cave, I used to have a lot of fun diving that place.

Thanks! Why do you think folks don't dive it as much, at least to the further parts, far back?


Would love to see the maps.

The one's I have are from the net, and they are basically these:

http://www.floridacaves.com/manateestickmap.JPG

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...e_overview.jpg

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...atee_map_1.jpg

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...ee_profile.jpg

[kensuf]

The stick map's the most complete one I have. I know there was some more exploration done in the spring tunnel over the last several years, but I'm not sure if anyone else has ever plotted that data onto a map or not.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question about the motivation of others.. The only guess I have is that manatee can be challenging because of the flow and poor vis. But if you catch it when the flow is down, it's one of the most beautiful caves.

Thanks! Why do you think folks don't dive it as much, at least to the further parts, far back?


Would love to see the maps.

The one's I have are from the net, and they are basically these:

http://www.floridacaves.com/manateestickmap.JPG

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...e_overview.jpg

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...atee_map_1.jpg

http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...ee_profile.jpg

[apitkin]

Manatee is currently being resurveyed. I would say watch this space, but it could be a while until it's complete. It's a big job.

I can only agree that it is an amazing system with many interesting features. When the other caves are flooded it can be spectacular, as it was in early March.

[saturation]

Manatee is currently being resurveyed. I would say watch this space, but it could be a while until it's complete. It's a big job.

I can only agree that it is an amazing system with many interesting features. When the other caves are flooded it can be spectacular, as it was in early March.

Looking forward to news. I like Manatee. Its more work getting scooters and stages to and from Catfish, and soon we'll try Friedman's for more distance, but its a good scooter cave, since its so big. The high flow is a good safety factor for scooter failure and a swim out exit.

Reading on its exploration history it seems the GUE folks did many pre-WKPP style dives here and had a good write up of the cave on their website.