tdmp
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Cave Diving in Texas
When I lived in Texas, I researched the subject heavily and this is what I found:
Goodenough Springs. Located on the bottom of Lake Amistad near Del Rio. You need a boat. The surface was marked with a buoy in the late 90s. A boil forms on the surface when the lake temp is below 69 degrees. Depth depends on lake level, started in 110 the last time I was there. Two main tunnels, lower tunnel goes for about 200 ft back to around 140ft depth and pinches down to sidemount tunnel. High flow but neat dive.
Jacob's Well. Located just west of Wimberly, which is south of Austin. Used to be open to the public until some open water divers died in the 80s. Has a beautiful vertical tunnel the first 30ft. Narrows after that and drops down at a 45 degree tunnel until first restriction at 60. Goes to a small restriction at 90ft, need sidemounts after that. Goes well beyond 130 ft I'm told but has multiple small restrictions and easily disturbed clay. It is technically closed to diving but people who purchase a camping pass at the nearby campground can access it. Just keep a low profile or dive it at night.
Balmorhea Springs. In west texas in the middle of nowhere. All though I've never dove it, I hear there is an extensive cave system at a nearby spring. Property access is unknown.
I've heard of some other caves around Texas but have heard about any conformation on whether they are diveable. Any more info on other systems would be appreciated
When I lived in Texas, I researched the subject heavily and this is what I found:
Goodenough Springs. Located on the bottom of Lake Amistad near Del Rio. You need a boat. The surface was marked with a buoy in the late 90s. A boil forms on the surface when the lake temp is below 69 degrees. Depth depends on lake level, started in 110 the last time I was there. Two main tunnels, lower tunnel goes for about 200 ft back to around 140ft depth and pinches down to sidemount tunnel. High flow but neat dive.
Jacob's Well. Located just west of Wimberly, which is south of Austin. Used to be open to the public until some open water divers died in the 80s. Has a beautiful vertical tunnel the first 30ft. Narrows after that and drops down at a 45 degree tunnel until first restriction at 60. Goes to a small restriction at 90ft, need sidemounts after that. Goes well beyond 130 ft I'm told but has multiple small restrictions and easily disturbed clay. It is technically closed to diving but people who purchase a camping pass at the nearby campground can access it. Just keep a low profile or dive it at night.
Balmorhea Springs. In west texas in the middle of nowhere. All though I've never dove it, I hear there is an extensive cave system at a nearby spring. Property access is unknown.
I've heard of some other caves around Texas but have heard about any conformation on whether they are diveable. Any more info on other systems would be appreciated
