denise
04-26-2009, 07:15 PM
Peter, Tj, Chris, Momo and myself set off Friday afternoon to canoe on the Wekiva River, in the search of Nova Springs (http://www.thiswaytothe.net/springs/pages/nova-spring-seminole.html), on the Wekiva River.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02892.jpg
The Wekiva River winds for 16 miles through the Wekiva Swamp, in Central Florida near Orlando, and is a complex ecological system consisting of river runs, springs, sinkholes and wetland. The Wekiva River supports a massive variety of wildlife including alligators, snakes, herons, egrets, woodpeckers, otters, bobcats, raccoons, opossums and countless species of fish, frogs and lizards.
After our recent Wekiva exploration trip (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?t=1037), and visit to Shellshock (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?t=1047), this trips aim was to pinpoint the exact location of Nova Springs, and try to gain access and explore it.
Nova Springs, quite visible on Google Earth, and about a mile further upstream from Shellshock. It is surrounded by vegetation, and private property. We tried to canoe down to it, but access was blocked by some fallen trees. We tried to access it up stream, and got very close to it (as seen by a distinct change in bottom vegetation, and we could even smell the sulfur as we approached), but it is “sealed off” by man made bridges :(. These wouldn’t be difficult to pass under, in scuba gear, but we plan to find some landowners that will give permission to come over and check it out completely.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02832.jpg
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02868.jpg
As a backup dive plan we headed down to Shellshock, and dived there instead. The river was running clearer than normal, so we easily located the cavern entrance, and proceeded in. The visibility initially was good, but any movement dislodges shells, pieces of bark, and stones, and they swirl around until the flow pushes them out several minutes later.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/P1015773.jpg
Peter entering Shellshock
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/P1015783.jpg
Chris swimming through Shellshock
We took a few photos (difficult with lots of stuff swirling everywhere), we didn't see any fish or wildlife in the cave itself. There is a large amount of sulfur (and probably other minerals) dissolved in the water. The water temperature in the cavern was 72 degrees, the river water outside was a bit warmer, about 78 degrees.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02850.jpg
Unusual choice of dive footwear......
On the way back up we searched for more possible springs along the river bed. In a few locations we smelt sulfur, and saw some big changes in the river vegetation, but nothing diveable.....
Our aim is now to speak with landowners and gain access to Nova springs, and check out whats under it.....
Rest of the Photos from the trip (http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/)
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02892.jpg
The Wekiva River winds for 16 miles through the Wekiva Swamp, in Central Florida near Orlando, and is a complex ecological system consisting of river runs, springs, sinkholes and wetland. The Wekiva River supports a massive variety of wildlife including alligators, snakes, herons, egrets, woodpeckers, otters, bobcats, raccoons, opossums and countless species of fish, frogs and lizards.
After our recent Wekiva exploration trip (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?t=1037), and visit to Shellshock (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?t=1047), this trips aim was to pinpoint the exact location of Nova Springs, and try to gain access and explore it.
Nova Springs, quite visible on Google Earth, and about a mile further upstream from Shellshock. It is surrounded by vegetation, and private property. We tried to canoe down to it, but access was blocked by some fallen trees. We tried to access it up stream, and got very close to it (as seen by a distinct change in bottom vegetation, and we could even smell the sulfur as we approached), but it is “sealed off” by man made bridges :(. These wouldn’t be difficult to pass under, in scuba gear, but we plan to find some landowners that will give permission to come over and check it out completely.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02832.jpg
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02868.jpg
As a backup dive plan we headed down to Shellshock, and dived there instead. The river was running clearer than normal, so we easily located the cavern entrance, and proceeded in. The visibility initially was good, but any movement dislodges shells, pieces of bark, and stones, and they swirl around until the flow pushes them out several minutes later.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/P1015773.jpg
Peter entering Shellshock
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/P1015783.jpg
Chris swimming through Shellshock
We took a few photos (difficult with lots of stuff swirling everywhere), we didn't see any fish or wildlife in the cave itself. There is a large amount of sulfur (and probably other minerals) dissolved in the water. The water temperature in the cavern was 72 degrees, the river water outside was a bit warmer, about 78 degrees.
http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/DSC02850.jpg
Unusual choice of dive footwear......
On the way back up we searched for more possible springs along the river bed. In a few locations we smelt sulfur, and saw some big changes in the river vegetation, but nothing diveable.....
Our aim is now to speak with landowners and gain access to Nova springs, and check out whats under it.....
Rest of the Photos from the trip (http://www.divetraining.net/pictures/2009_apr_24/)