Tallahassee Area Springs > Newbie Questions

[WaterDawg]

Thanks Jon, I just hate going to paces where I dont know any one.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Glad you guys got wet and had a good time. If it doesn't rain until the 30th, Morrison might actually clear up!

 

[WaterDawg]

In that case Ill be there. $25 a pop can add up.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Sure can, Morrison has a totally different feel than Vortex too - not so fake

 

[Aucilla]

Sure can, Morrison has a totally different feel than Vortex too - not so fake

Don't you be disin' my mermaid!

 

[ArchDiver]

As for local diving, there isnt much. Cherokee is open, but cold and low viz usually, and just not much to see. Dog Lake is also diveable but even less to see, and about 10ft deep. You can do artifact diving in the st marks and wakulla rivers, but youd need a boat for that, though you can dive right off the boat ramp at CR-61 as it crosses the Wakulla. Everything else is closed or privately owned.

I've been in Cherokee many times, the vis has always sucked and the only things to look at besides the silty bottom and trees is the stolen cars, boat, vending machines, and other crap. I don't know if they've been cleared out yet. You can get down to 60 feet or deeper, depending on whether its flooded or not but not a great dive. As for "artifact diving" in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers, don't bother. Its illegal to remove artifacts from state-owned submerged lands (this includes the rivers). Don't bother trying because the rangers out there are very strict. The State has also become especially vigilant in recent years. I've also heard that the long-time river divers have turned in "outsiders" that have been looting their "spots". There are also several recorded archaeological sites in the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers, if you remove any artifacts from these sites the law enforcement officials will be especially happy to arrest you. And believe me, they show up when you least expect it. By the way, I've heard it through the grapevine that a local resident has been peppering the St. Marks River, including around the Newport bridge, for years with fake lithic flakes and points that he made himself. Apparently, he got tired of people looting the prehistoric artifacts in the rivers so he has taken matters into his own hands. Be forewarned. Other than that, have you thought about diving Troy Springs? Its a great dive when the vis is good and the flooding river has subsided. I think you need permission from the State but am not sure about that one. They have info. on the web. Definitely a dive to recommend, though I haven't been there in several years so things may have changed. Happy diving!

 

[WaterDawg]

Anyone doing anything this weekend??

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

We're diving Cypress tomorrow(Saturday, 22nd). We're meeting at Vortex at 8AM to rent canoes and drive to Vernon to launch, paddle, and dive. Canoe rental is $50, $25 if you can find a buddy to dive with you and split cost - bring a truck or something to strap a canoe ontop in order to get it 25min down the road

http://www.scubaboard.com/t84596-.html <-- check this thread out. Darcy has a friend that isn't going because they don't have a buddy - maybe you two could split a canoe?

Here are some pics from our last dive at Cypress http://www.suprbugman.com/gallery/album47 to get you interested.

 

[WaterDawg]

Thanks, Ill ck it out.

 

[WaterDawg]

Sure can, Morrison has a totally different feel than Vortex too - not so fake

I belive the best part of Vortex was in fact the fake caverns!