Bennett Springs-fun cavern dive

[DivingCRNA]

Yesterday we hit Bennett Springs. it was fun. The water was a little cloudy due to some recent rain, but the cavern is definately fun to do.

You gotta go in the winter, because they do not allow divers in the summer. You need to sign up in advance.

We had drysuits, but I could see folks doing it in a 7mm...

 

[crpntr133]

Where is Bennett Springs? Depth, water temps?

 

[DivingCRNA]

Where is Bennett Springs? Depth, water temps?

10 miles north of Lebanon, Mo. Cavern is supposed to be 85 feet deep, but someone had recently been to over 100 feet.

Water was in the upper 50s.

 

[soonerwink]

Do you need cave training and is there a websit to check this out?

 

[DivingCRNA]

Do you need cave training and is there a websit to check this out?

http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~brodskye/diving/cavern/cavern.html

Not my web page, but has pics and some info.

 

[Bill51]

Thanks for the links and info. All those years around Lebanon and Bennett Springs and I never knew what I was missing.

 

[crpntr133]

I would say that cavern might be nice. Needed??

 

[bgray]

There are two of us here in kc that have been wanting to do this dive for quite some time now but we have noone else to go with. After talking with the park officials we were told that you have to have people on the surface while anybody is in the water, and our wives arn't that excited about spending a day just to sit topside while we dive. Is there anyone out there who would like to join us for a day? We are available 7 days a week with a little bit of notice. Please let me know if interested. Brandon

 

[SteveC]

I called the park today and they are open for scuba from November to the end of February. All Saturdays are booked except the last one in February. Most Sundays are open as are weekdays. There is a max of 6 divers per day.
Can someone who has been there give a report on the dive?
Can you park near the spring, or do you have to carry gear?
Anywhere to get warm during surface intervals?

Thanks

 

[modiver71]

Was there between Christmas and New Year's. Walk into the spring basin. Middle of spring approx 10-15'. Begin descent into spring opening. Tall enough to stand up in at the opening. Begins to narrow down. I would guess it descends at about a 45 degree angle. Outflow was decent last time, I almost got wedged up pretty good at about 60'. Be aware of it. At about a depth of 45' I think this becomes a cave dive as I could not see daylight. There is a line on the right side of cave. I didn't stray from it very far. Visability at this time was about 25-30' in this section. Gravel bottom. Little silt to worry about. Restriction at about 80' made it impossible to swim against and explore further.
Conclusion: Open water divers can dive it, but should know what to expect and be equipped. Little danger of silt out due bottom composition and flow. Remember that narrow spaces equal stiff current. Similar to Ginnie Springs big basin in Florida, but with reduced vis. No fisherman to worry about during the week. Weekends may attract a crowd and possibility of getting snagged.
Can park about 75' away from basin opening. Heated restrooms about 175 yards downstream from basin. I had 58 degree water temp throughout.

Hope this helps. When I did it in February of last year, had much better vis. Dependent upon rainfall.

Any other questions, let me know. Happy to help.