Monday, February 23, 2009: 11:00 a.m.
Brett Hemphill
,
Karst Underwater Research, Tampa, FL
David J. DeWitt, PG
,
Resource Conservation and Data Department, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Brooksville, FL
Brett Hemphill, Karst Underwater Research, Tampa Florida Recent and ongoing cave diving exploration activities at springs in west-central Florida have produced valuable information and insights into these unique karst features. The initial exploration of Weeki Wachee Spring and a vast cave system in the Upper Floridan aquifer will be presented by one of the lead exploration divers for the project. Technical constraints, logistics and practical aspects of cave diving will be discussed from the explorer's perspective. Underwater videos from various cave explorations, including the Weeki Wachee system, will be presented in conjunction with this open forum discussion.
