Little River Cave System

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Little River

Little River Spring is located on the eastern side of the Suwannee River just north of Branford, Florida. There are no facilities at the spring but there are 2 local dive shops within a few miles of the spring. The visibility in the cave system at Little River is usually over 100ft. The flow of the spring is normally high but with the low water aquifer, the flow has been reduced significantly.
The photos below were taken in April and May of 2000. Unfortunately, there have been several deaths at Little River and there is always the concern that this cave could one day be closed due to human ignorance of following basic rules. A new sign has been placed in the parking area to warn divers that deaths have occurred at this spring.
Another problem at Little River has been that someone has removed the dorf markers at the Serpentine-Merry Go Round T on the main line. The replacement large orange dorf (pictured below) has been removed.
As you may know, there have been reports of theft of personal property from parked vehicles while divers are in the cave. If possible, leave someone on the surface to watch your vehicles and if not, try to set up something with another dive team to watch their vehicles while they are in the cave and have them do the same while your team is in the cave.
UPDATE: Little River was closed for development by The Suwannee River Water Management District and has now REOPENED as of July 1, 2003!

Little River Spring

Little River Spring located in Branford has a
beautiful cave system with a high flow.
Photo taken on August 7, 2000.

Catacombs at Little River

The catacombs are on the left of the
main line before the chimney.

Catacombs at Little River

There is a fissure going down 25ft
into a room called the Thunder Room.

Catacombs at Little River

Some of these passages are sidemount
but the majority of the Worm Hole
passage is backmount with some tight spots.

Jim at Mud tunnel jump

The little statue was stolen from
Little River on August 8, 2000.

Harvey in Mud tunnel

Mud tunnel is the first jump
after the chimney at about 300ft penetration.

Harvey at the T for Serpentine & Merry Go Round

Harvey at the new T

During July of 2000, someone removed
the downstream T to Serpentine and Merry Go Round
passages at 610ft penetration. The Serpentine
line was made into a jump. A new marker was made
for the T and replaced about a week before our dive.
The orange paint on the marker was being rubbed
off so soon it will be gray. The upstream T at 810ft
penetration, for Merry-Go-Round and Serpentine
was not changed.

Clay Mound in Harper Tunnel

The clay mound above is found in the Harper
Tunnel, which begins at 650ft penetration.

Harper Tunnel

Harper Tunnel has silty floors and walls
and it is recommended that new cave divers
avoid this passage until their bouyancy is perfect.

Vertical Fissure in Harper tunnel

This vertical fissure is
about 850ft penetration and is
a restriction.

Damaged Clay Mound in Harper Tunnel

Many divers do not realize when their fins
lightly brush clay unless they look behind
themselves throughout the dive. This damage
is permanent and sad to see.

Sidemount opening on Harper

Harper tunnel ends in a small room about
900ft penetration which has a sidemount opening
on the left side of the passage. This passage
is one of the 5 water sources for Little River.
It is believed that this sidemount passage
connects to the vertical shaft off of the
main line around 1810ft penetraton.