Katerina said "does this mean that Mike Castro is closing the toll gate at night to reduce damage to the springs caused by his paying customers?"
No, I think that the reason we are seeing less party goers, is the colder weather, the faster flowing deep 40 degree creek waters that makes it less inviting (and a little dangerous) to cross the creek after dark.
As for the sand in the womb, if it eliminates the rash problem so much the better, but I think we will need to give it some time before we can say the problem is gone for good. The clean sand is really a nice change over the mud and soot that were around before, especially after the first flood this year.
I found the sand in the womb and stronger flow from the source helped keep the Womb warmer than usual in winter. However, I found the depth of about 3 and a half feet a little inconvenient. It is too deep to sit down, but if you stand most of a person's torso is out of the water and vulnerable to the chilly air. Maybe four and a half feet would work better. However, as I think Wizard pointed out before on another thread, I can't see how Jobe or other volunteers cleaning the pool can avoid removing some of the sand in the process.
Jobe, I will not be able to make it up this weekend. Too many other things to do.