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Florida Spring Diving - Volume One
Florida is home to over 750 freshwater springs
. Among those are 33 first-magnitude (that is, greater than 100 Cubic Feet Per Second flow) springs -- more than any other State or nation in the world. As such, the State of Florida is often revered as the "cave divers Mecca," and is home to many of the most skilled divers the world has ever seen.Florida freshwater springs are also a great place for the recreational diver to gain experience, practice skills, and witness an underwater world far different that what can be observed in the oceans and rivers. There are also many opportunities to be trained in cavern or cave diving, and Florida freshwater springs often serve as a perfect natural training ground.
Over several "volumes," I will discuss some of the popular Florida freshwater springs, point out some key features each one has to offer, and recount my experiences with them.
Morrison Spring
Morrison spring is a large first-magnitude spring located in Walton County, Florida. Morrison spring features a 250 foot diameter basin leading down to a single cavern opening. This spring is well known by divers and swimmers alike for having a large cypress tree trunk that spans the cavern opening underwater.
The Morrison spring cave system consists of two chambers branching off of one central pathway. The cavern opening lies nearly at the center of the spring basin 30 feet below the surface. The opening to the first chamber beings at 45 feet, and branches out to the northeast. The chamber is roughly cylindrical and extends approximately 250 feet back before terminating at a very tight restriction. From this chamber and below, divers will enjoy crystal clear water regardless of the water conditions above.
The second restriction branches southwest from the main central pathway at roughly 50 feet. The branch features a permanent guide rope that leads through a 10-foot passageway and opens into a large "ballroom" cavern. The Morrison cavern has been described as a "cavern measureless to man." The maximum depth at Morrison spring can be achieved in this cavern, and will measure between 80 and 100 feet depending on the river level above.
The wildlife encountered in Morrison spring provides a broad overview of what one would generally expect to encounter in any other Florida freshwater spring. Around the basin, several species of bass and bluegill can be observed, along with most species of freshwater turtles native to Florida. Florida gar are also common in the basin area, as well as crayfish and water moccasins. During the right season, one can also find Manatees in the spring basin.
Inside the cavern, divers can expect to encounter very little wildlife besides an abundance of catfish and freshwater eels. The eels in Morrison have been known to get quite large, and I have personally seen individuals in excess of 4 feet in length. There is no need to fear either the eels or catfish, however, as neither species are aggressive. The eels can bite if provoked, but are not venomous.
Florida Spring Diving - Volume One
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