CURRENT CAVE CONDITIONS:

Latest Update July 02, 2008

Report from Jerry Murphy:

I made a dive into Black Lagoon yesterday afternoon and the vis is in excess of 50 ft and most of the flood debris has flushed out.  The basin is tannic but cleared to blue water at 10 ft.  The flow is minimal.  I have notified Gilchrist County that the Black Lagoon is now open for diving under the normal rules and guest/guide ratio.

Update May 01, 2008

Report from Jerry Murphy: 

Scott Byars and I made a dive into Black Lagoon yesterday afternoon and I am sorry so say we can't open it yet. 

The visibility was maybe 20 feet and still pretty tannic.  The flow was up from before the flood but no where near what it could/should be. There is also a lot of particulate and algae/bacteria in the water.  all surfaces have a good covering of silt.  Our passing resulted in pretty much zero-visibility.  All to be expected; were it a river cave I would I would have said they were great  conditions but we all know better.

We'll probably want to make a few dive in there to  verify better conditions before we take guests in.

I will check again in a week or two.

//Signed//

Jerry Murphy

Latest Update February 06, 2008

Report from Rick Crawford:  Conditions at Black Lagoon were excellent today.  Good vis in the basin and 70'-80' vis in the cave system.  Water lettuce is back.  Need another cleanup with the famous pole dancer!!!!

Latest Update January 20, 2008

Report from Tom McMillan:  The visibility is at least 100'.  The flow is still way down.  The Hart Springs Educational Cave Clinic was a great success.  Lots of divers attended and a good time was had by all.  If you did not attend, you missed out on a great weekend of diving and socializing.

January 12, 2008

Report from Rick Crawford:  Black Lagoon was clear and the entrance shaft clear also.  Swam upstream to the end of the gold line.  Low flow and vis was 80'+.

 January 08, 2008

Report from Jill Heinerth:  "Visibility as clear as I have ever seen it.  The basin is crystal clear and there appears to be less of the floating algae chunks in the water column of the cave itself.  Flow is very gentle."

 January 04, 2008

Report from Tom McMillan:  Visibility at least 100', flow is still minimal.  The Black Lagoon did not live up to it's name, it was crystal clear with almost no lettuce.  The platform and steps are the best thing that has happened since the cave opened back up.  If you haven't dived Hart in some time now is the time.  Swim to the end of the gold line in around 30 minutes at a slow meandering pace.

 UPDATE December 7, 2007

Report From Bill Main:  Visibility 70' +, flow is still way down, could swim forever, lots of water lettuce, the steps and platform are great. 

 UPDATE October 27, 2007

Report From Jill Heinerth:  Conditions are excellent: clear water, low flow and thick water lettuce.

UPDATE MARCH 07, 2005

Report From Doug Chappell: Jon Doud and I dove the spring yesterday. The vis has improved to approximately 35 feet, and the flow is still very strong. The water has been turned on at the shower station at the parking area, which is so nice. The basin continues to retreat, but the last 50 feet is still muddy. We replaced the laundry detergent container at the tree where the line starts with a better looking white float.