WKPP: Emerald Re-Lining

true · August 20th, 2006, 06:01 PM

Clear conditions in the northern section of Leon Sinks over the past month-- in addition to a few weeks off waiting for Wakulla to clear-- allowed time for WKPP divers to replace almost 5,500ft of guideline upstream and downstream of Cheryl and Emerald Sinks. In advance of the proposed recreational access through the Wakulla Springs State Park, the Emerald advisory committee and the Florida Department of Enviromental Prtection agreed on the replacement of the existing guideline. The old line(s) were intact but needed to be replaced and routed in such a manner as to avoid any sample tubing and delicate cave structures. Directional markers would also need to be replaced and the number of arrows increased to confirm distances for recreational cave divers accessing the system.

The reline, re-arrow and video work is complete. All lines are "T'd" and marked for the closest exit. It is my understanding that only Emerald Sink will be open for access into and out of the system with the other sinks being "emergency" exit only. Given the additional requirements for cave diving access into the system, all lines are continuous with no gaps even across the sinkholes. Existing sample tubing remains in place for future trace work but should not pose a problem for divers accessing the system.

A full report on the re-lining project is up online:

http://www.gue.com/Projects/WKPP/Upd...eline2006.html

We also have posted a gallery with extensive images of the Emerald cave system:

http://www.gue.com/Galleries/WKPP/Le...t06/index.html

Best,

Anthony

*Clare Gledhill* · August 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM

Thanks for keeping the reports coming - as per usual the photos are awesome

david_1 · August 22nd, 2006, 12:06 PM

http://www.gue.com/Galleries/WKPP/Le...cheryl_249.jpg

Now I new my spool was the wrong size and look a new colour too.

sampling tube. whats that then.

David

GLOC · August 22nd, 2006, 12:23 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by david_1)

sampling tube. whats that then.

David

I presume it is a piece of equipment for sampling the waters properties; flow, acidity, temperature....there are some photos on a recent thread from Anthony which show tripod contraptions and I presume the sample tubes are part of those.

true · August 22nd, 2006, 03:52 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

I presume it is a piece of equipment for sampling the waters properties; flow, acidity, temperature....there are some photos on a recent thread from Anthony which show tripod contraptions and I presume the sample tubes are part of those.

Close. The tripods in Wakulla are permanent monitoring stations that record (among other things) water flow and quality. Those stations are online 24/7. When running a dye trace study, the researchers want samples from as many karst windows as possible so that they capture the breakthrough rate of the dye as it moves through the system. At key locations, we've run sampling tubes into the upstream and downstream sections of the different openings. When it comes time to run a test, a water sampling device is connected to the tube to draw samples at timed intervals. After the dye has moved through the cave, the tubes are tucked away in the entrance until needed for the next study.

Best,

Anthony

voodooconstant · August 22nd, 2006, 05:13 PM

edit - I actually read your post and my question was answered. /me slaps himself

August 20th, 2006, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
true(Offline) GUE Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 141	WKPP: Emerald Re-Lining Clear conditions in the northern section of Leon Sinks over the past month-- in addition to a few weeks off waiting for Wakulla to clear-- allowed time for WKPP divers to replace almost 5,500ft of guideline upstream and downstream of Cheryl and Emerald Sinks. In advance of the proposed recreational access through the Wakulla Springs State Park, the Emerald advisory committee and the Florida Department of Enviromental Prtection agreed on the replacement of the existing guideline. The old line(s) were intact but needed to be replaced and routed in such a manner as to avoid any sample tubing and delicate cave structures. Directional markers would also need to be replaced and the number of arrows increased to confirm distances for recreational cave divers accessing the system. The reline, re-arrow and video work is complete. All lines are "T'd" and marked for the closest exit. It is my understanding that only Emerald Sink will be open for access into and out of the system with the other sinks being "emergency" exit only. Given the additional requirements for cave diving access into the system, all lines are continuous with no gaps even across the sinkholes. Existing sample tubing remains in place for future trace work but should not pose a problem for divers accessing the system. A full report on the re-lining project is up online: http://www.gue.com/Projects/WKPP/Upd...eline2006.html We also have posted a gallery with extensive images of the Emerald cave system: http://www.gue.com/Galleries/WKPP/Le...t06/index.html Best, Anthony

August 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill (Online) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,540	Thanks for keeping the reports coming - as per usual the photos are awesome __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

August 22nd, 2006, 12:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
david_1(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: sussex Posts: 295	http://www.gue.com/Galleries/WKPP/Le...cheryl_249.jpg Now I new my spool was the wrong size and look a new colour too. sampling tube. whats that then. David Last edited by david_1; August 22nd, 2006 at 12:11 PM.

August 22nd, 2006, 12:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,950	Quote: (Originally Posted by david_1) sampling tube. whats that then. David I presume it is a piece of equipment for sampling the waters properties; flow, acidity, temperature....there are some photos on a recent thread from Anthony which show tripod contraptions and I presume the sample tubes are part of those. __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar If you don't have the time to do something right, where are you going to find the time to fix it? - Stephen King

August 22nd, 2006, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
voodooconstant(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Milwaukee, WI - USA Posts: 65	edit - I actually read your post and my question was answered. /me slaps himself __________________ ~Matt

August 22nd, 2006, 03:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
true(Offline) GUE Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 141	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) I presume it is a piece of equipment for sampling the waters properties; flow, acidity, temperature....there are some photos on a recent thread from Anthony which show tripod contraptions and I presume the sample tubes are part of those. Close. The tripods in Wakulla are permanent monitoring stations that record (among other things) water flow and quality. Those stations are online 24/7. When running a dye trace study, the researchers want samples from as many karst windows as possible so that they capture the breakthrough rate of the dye as it moves through the system. At key locations, we've run sampling tubes into the upstream and downstream sections of the different openings. When it comes time to run a test, a water sampling device is connected to the tube to draw samples at timed intervals. After the dye has moved through the cave, the tubes are tucked away in the entrance until needed for the next study. Best, Anthony