Vortex?

[easyrider003]

Just wondering if anyone has ever been diving at Vortex Springs in Florida? If so what are your thoughts, good or bad? Going down on December 8 and January 19th and just thought I would ask for some input

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Digger54]

I was down there in early October. Nice enough folks, but the "gin clear" water they advertise was just not there unless you were actually down at or in the mouth of the spring. I've seen visibility just as good in the springtime in our local quarry (Martha's) here in Tennessee. Lack of clarity was my only disappointment. Looks like a good place for some wreck training as they have built some artificial "wrecks" in the pool. I'll go back. Maybe they will have the algae issues worked out by my next time.

 

[dstindivr]

I was down there in early October. Nice enough folks, but the "gin clear" water they advertise was just not there unless you were actually down at or in the mouth of the spring. I've seen visibility just as good in the springtime in our local quarry (Martha's) here in Tennessee. Lack of clarity was my only disappointment. Looks like a good place for some wreck training as they have built some artificial "wrecks" in the pool. I'll go back. Maybe they will have the algae issues worked out by my next time.

Having dove this spring more than a large handful of times, I can say the vis is better during the week. Less people equals less mud puppies. When you're in the area I would also suggest going to Morrison Spring, as it isn't too far. Cypress springs is probably the prettiest spring you'll ever see, but it's access is only by canoe now. But all 3 of them are good in their own unique ways. Weird that you had algae there. I have probably been in the water at Vortex 200+ times and never seen any . Oh well. Hope you, or anyone goping there has a good, and safe time.
Corey

 

[lastbornjoker]

they had some kind of alge bloom going on in oct, i was there also and vis wasnt all that good But i still had a good time. there was a post somewhere on here talking about the alge thogh.morrison is a lot smaller but when we went it was loaded with eels and catfish. defintly would go back to both if given the opportuinty.

 

[Digger54]

It's true that they had some training in the spring and so things were a little silted up when I was there. But I've also been to Blue Grotto and Ginnie Springs lately and on weekends and the murkiness was no where near Vortex.

I have heard that they had an introduction of some fertilizer into Vortex, perhaps intentional, and that is the cause of the algal growth.

Seems like I've seen one of the Vortex folks posting on here. Perhaps they can "clarify" what we've been talking about (pun intended).

 

[PerroneFord]

It's true that they had some training in the spring and so things were a little silted up when I was there. But I've also been to Blue Grotto and Ginnie Springs lately and on weekends and the murkiness was no where near Vortex.

The bottom composition at Vortex is different than that of Ginnie. They are hundreds of miles away. The new ownership at Vortex seems to be doing all the right things. I may end my hiatus of diving there.

I have heard that they had an introduction of some fertilizer into Vortex, perhaps intentional, and that is the cause of the algal growth.

Warm Florida sun promotes algae growth in all of the Florida springs. It's pronounced at some like Vortex and Orange Grove. The lovely cold weather we are having is clearing things up. I dove a local site in October and had 10-15ft of vis. I was there again this week and had 60-80. Only 8 divers have used the site in the interim, so the weather and nature are the difference.

 

[Tom Smedley]

The visibility problem at Vortex right now is the same act of God that makes the bottom at Morrison silty instead of white sand like it was 20 or so years ago. There is a severe drought that takes in most of the Southeastern United States and has lowered the hydraulic pressures in aquafers and thus flow rates in springs.

There is more pressure at Morrison because it is almost 100 feet lower in altitude than Vortex. The visibility now at Vortex is indeed caused by divers who have little or no buoyancy skills and who do not trim themselves to kick horozontally. My fellow instructors and I recognize this problem and vow to begin teaching horizontal trim and shuffle kicks in our classes. It helps in Vortex and it helps when we take new divers to the lake.

This is easily proven by going to the spring on a weekday and doing a dive early in the morning, then doing one in the afternoon after a couple of classes. Morrison also silts up after classes. I know I went into the cave before a class entered and came out after they exited a couple of weeks ago. It's just that the flow at Morrison allows the water to clear.

There is algae in Vortex spring. If you pay attention to the bottom you will see stringy green algae in clumps. The introduction of some Tilapia would cure this but since they are not indigenous there would have to be a permit.

Eduardo has vacuumed fine silt off the rocks in Vortex for many years and sent it downstream. You notice I say MANY years. However, probably related to the ongoing feud the EPA issued a cease and desist on this activity until a permit is issued last week.

We must remember that the waters of the world are not "Gin Clear" and that training in less than unlimited visibility is good for the learner. It sort of prepares them for the rest of the world.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I don't know about any recent algae problem but I have seen vortex crystal clear on a friday and a silty mess all day Sat and Sun. It can get pretty ugly.