Conditions at Volusia Blue Spring

[jeff.richardson]

No longer interested.

[kronek67]

Visability seams to be improving. On Sunday I could not see the tree from the overlook deck. Today I could see 5 to 10 feet past the tree from the overlook deck. Still cloudy though. The rangers suspect that there may have been a colapse deeper in the system and should clear up in a week or so.

Brian

[kronek67]

I got in the water yesterday for the first time since it opened back up. I have never seen it that bad. It is depressing to see that something so beutiful turn so bad.

Maximum vertical visability: 15 ft. dark objects
20 ft. light objects

Maximum horizontal visability: 10-15 ft.

Very cloudy!

Brian

[kronek67]

March 24, 2007

Impressions: Much better. Visability at depth was great compared to the 18th.

Visability Estimates: 15'-20' at surface, Due to divers. 40'+ below 25' depth. visability only limited by my light

Water level: 58' to sign

Obsevations: Water is still a little cloudy, but much better. Swimmers and divers stirring it up at the surface. Suspension at depth is limited.

[cdavis]

Is there so much silt in the bottom (from the last few weeks flow?) that swimmers and divers stir it up and reduce the vis?? That would be new. Did the vis at the sign and below look like normal?

Connor

[MKDVR]

Originally Posted by jeff.richardson

Impression: Good visibility.

Visibility Estimates: 30' at surface; 40' at sign and below.

Water Level: Low. 12" deep in the side path leading to the boil.

Observations: The visibility seems to be back to normal. Water level is still low.

Comments: I dove when the sun was shining directly into the main cavern, and it lit it up all the way down to about 80'.

How about the strength of the flow? It was very weak not long ago.

[scott]

Impression: Good visibility.

Visibility Estimates: 40' at surface; 50' at sign and below.

Water Level: Still low. 12" deep (shallowest) in the side path leading to the boil (but average depth about 2').

Observations: The visibility seems to be back to normal. Water level flow seemed to be just below normal.

Comments: More fish in the run than I have ever seen (those gar sure remind me of barracuda). This was my first week back in the water after ACL surgery (snow skiing) in February. Need to get physically back into shape, but it was great to be diving again.

[scott]

From reading the last few posts, it looked like Blue Springs was back to normal and thus no more need for this thread. However, I went today and viz was the worst I have ever seen it - a murky 20' at best (and not too much improved at depths). There were numerous scuba divers, so I am hoping that was the cause (although it has always been clear in the past, even with the divers).

I hope that today was a fluke and that Blue Springs is indeed back to "normal".

Scott

[kronek67]

07/01/07

I hate to say, but today is not a fluk. Conditions at Blue are bad again. It has been this way since last Monday. The water is cloudy with maximum visability of 20 feet. I don't know what happened, but it's not good. I heard last Sunday was clear, but when I was there on Monday, it was cloudy. almost milkey. I have been there several times this week including today, and there has been no improvement.

Brian

[cdavis]

Sounds like Blue is getting some surface water into its flow. Drought related?? Anybody out there have some hydrology knowledge?

Connor

[cdavis]

September 22, 2007:

Blue seems to be recovering. I haven't been in it since last fall and vis isn't back up to then, but it must be at least 30 ft on the surface, maybe more in the hole. Lots of silt and particulate stuff on the bottom around the hole that is easily churned up. Water level is higher than I have seen since last summer and apparently rising fast. Flow was quite a bit lower than last year. Perfectly adequate for diving.

Thanks to all who were there. Its fun diving with a group.

Connor

[Tony Babowicz]

Conner, Thanks again for inviting me to dive with you and your group. You guys are a classy bunch.I enjoyed not having to rinse the salt from my gear and I can't wait until the next time. Magic mud puddle sounds like a great place. When does that usually clear up? Thanks also for the tip on diaphram stretches. I'm sure it will prove useful this coming weekend. Make sure you tell your buddies that dove with us that I appreciated their hospitality. Tony

[MKDVR]

Originally Posted by Tony Babowicz

Conner, Thanks again for inviting me to dive with you and your group. You guys are a classy bunch.I enjoyed not having to rinse the salt from my gear and I can't wait until the next time. Magic mud puddle sounds like a great place. When does that usually clear up? Thanks also for the tip on diaphram stretches. I'm sure it will prove useful this coming weekend. Make sure you tell your buddies that dove with us that I appreciated their hospitality. Tony

No problem.