Spin Cycle Selected...

Since options to dive in the Lake became a little restricted, the opportunity was taken today to go and revive acquaintance with Upper Brewer's Mills. As the accompanying video illustrates, conditions were less than ideal. For whatever reason (and it's hard to see where the flow is coming from) there was a healthy current flowing down the channel. This led to the adoption of the tried and tested 'spin cycle' dive experience. Entry was made in the usual place and an immediate descent to the bottom of the bowl allowed a few minutes to have a look around before allowing the current to take us, counter-clockwise, around the shallow margins and back to the entry point. Rinse and repeat three times for a total of just over 30 minutes in water at 34F (2C). The air temperature was -4C (24F) and only one, rather frozen-looking Perch was spotted throughout the dive. Novices are advised to avoid this dive site when a noticeable current is running. It is possible to be carried out of the circular current flow and swept downstream.

Warm work at Brewer's Mills..

It was reasonable to expect warmer water in the Canal today, but none of us would have predicted 60F (16C), which is what Dianne, Chris and I actually enjoyed. It may explain why we spent about 90 minutes on two dives, with a negligible surface interval between them. We used the Sunbury Road approach to the parking area on the West side of the Lock complex and dove in the 'lake' on the upstream side initially. This proved uninspiring, offering just about 5 feet of visibility and no more than 8 feet of depth. After just 25 minutes, we elected to walk down the bank and make a giant stride into the lower waters. A period of exploration of the downstream area followed, with an exit eventually made back up on the East bank by the usual side stream bridge and 'bowl'.

The whole experience was relaxing and uneventful. The find of a couple of rounds of live pistol ammunition under the bridge is nothing extraordinary at this site. We didn't turn a hair. Interestingly, the Crayfish are now much harder to find, but we had an attendant band of very bold Bluegills towards the conclusion of the dive.

If anyone is wondering where to test their wetsuit, the temperatures up here in the Canal are now ideal...