Quarry Time...

The wind was making the Lake look less hospitable again today, so it seemed a good time to go and check out the quarry at Brule Road. As it happened, the visit was made more exciting by disturbing a couple of lovers, who had rather carelessly parked on the top of the approach road. There's something incredibly amusing about watching two people rapidly dressing while trying to appear innocent...

After this frisson, the dive was almost routine. A theory that the water there would be colder than the Lake, because it's got less flow and, as a smaller, shallower body of water it's more directly influenced by the air temperature, was proved spot on. The low reading on our two computers was 44℉ (7℃). I made a mental note, as the numbers on my display descended into the 40s, to fit my dry gloves this weekend.

Although we didn't hit all the corners of the site, there didn't appear to be any new additions to the local 'attractions'. A solitary Bluegill was spotted. Viz wasn't too bad - given the rain and high winds we've had recently; probably about 40'.

A night at POH

Last night three of us made for an enjoyable dive in and around Portsmouth Olympic harbour. Getting in the water a little after 6:30 pm we swam around only hitting about 20 feet in depth. WE did take the time to see the anchors and some of the ribs that are left in the area. There were lots of fish and large pike towards the end of the dive. The naval anchor with the swastika on it was quiet cover in algae and we were not able to find the raised symbol, mostly likely because of darkness though. It was a pleasant dive and always enjoyable to show someone a new site. The water temp was 50 F here but allowed us to stay in the water 47 minutes.

Fresh Fields...

Stimulated by a desire to do something new, Jim and I ventured out to Fairfield Park on Route 33 today to see what sort of profile the bottom presented. As it happens, this site, which is popular with visitors from Toronto and elsewhere, is not particularly appealing, but entry is easy - and the parking is on a hard, tarmac surface right beside the Lake. After the anticipated short, shoreside ledge, the bottom drops away gently in mud to a maximum depth of just under 100 feet. We registered 94' today. The good news is that the water temperature is stuck reasonably tolerably at 50℉ (10℃) - all the way down.

Surf entries on the Lake - unusual...

When a strong westerly breeze blows over the Lake for several hours, it can raise quite a wave on shore. But, that's no deterrent to the determined diver - and just to prove the fact - three of us made our way out to the Stacked Hulls this afternoon through some fairly heavy surf. I can't remember encountering quite so much surge in the shallows ever before. Understandably, the visibility was pretty poor in the early stages, but on the wrecks themselves we enjoyed about 30 feet or better - certainly enough to make for some decent video. I've decided that some of these big Bass are frustrated actors. They certainly mug it up for the camera. Check out the short video here. The water temp was the usual 50℉ (10℃). Total dive time, with about 15 minutes on the wreck, was 56 minutes.

Pics of the Pumphouse Intake Pipe and Support...

Here are a few pictures of the structure and intake pipe that serve the Kingston Pumphouse. An interesting site - it's fascinating to imagine the engineering involved in putting this in place at the time it was constructed.

Pumphouse prowling...

Grabbed the opportunity today to get out on the Lake and answer a request from staff at the Pumphouse Museum for some details on the pipework and structures serving their site. The effort was made with Adam, who received the original request. Conditions were perfect and we visited two sites. The pic is from the first one, which is not the intake support for the pumphouse, but another unattributed structure, albeit it lies right beside the pipe. Water temp 50℉ again with visibility somewhere around 60 feet. Tons of Bass on both sites...

Magnificent Seven...

Well, perhaps not that magnificent, but seven anyway. That's how many divers made a foray from Morton's Wharf this evening, entering the water as the sun set and emerging in the dark. Wow, you say, how daring !

Whatever, the dive was just fine - about 30 minutes of gentle exploration of the underwater structure, some gentle Bass teasing and a little bit of friendly, 'my light's better than your light' going on.

Followed by Timmy's and a bit of light banter - altogether an excellent outing.

Water temp 50℉ (10℃) - viz about 40 feet...

Stacked Hulls Line in good shape...

The weather's just too good these days to pass up diving. Today, it presented an opportunity to make a check dive on the line out to the Stacked Hulls. It's become such a straightforward trip with the new route that there's no wasted effort in locating or following the guideline. But, caution should be exercised. This is still an each way trip of about 1000 feet. If you're going to attempt it - and have any time to spend on the wrecks, which deserve it, then make sure your air consumption is modest, if you're diving a single 80 cu ft cylinder. The line was in good shape. The weeds are all dying back and the interference and drag they had been causing is all but past. For the record, the water temperature was 50℉ (10℃). With a bit of wind playing across the Lake and generating a slight swell, the visibility was down on the weekend, but still reasonable at about 25-30 feet.

Nine at Ten...

Nine Club members made the trip this afternoon to the wreck off Murney Tower in 10℃ water (50℉). On the second day of a really beautiful weekend, on Kevin's initiative, the group met at the Club to satisfy equipment and air needs, then hit the site. It was particularly good to see a new diver from the most recent basic course getting his feet (and everything else) wet. Well done, Jesse. The visibility on the wreck was the best I have seen - probably 40' or better - and of course made me instantly regret not taking a camera out with me. At either end, bow and stern, the whole structure was visible. So too were many large Smallmouth Bass, which appear to have taken up residence on the wreck. Hunger seems to be stimulating their curiosity and they were very happy to approach the divers. It was good to see that the guidelines are still in place. The opportunity was taken to clean them off a bit and to remove weedy debris from the main line.

Another diver advances...

Mario is entitled to look pleased with life. He completed his Advanced Open Water certification today with a Search and Recovery adventure at the KPH site. Conditions couldn't really have been better. The Sun was shining brightly, air temperatures were above freezing (but not much at 4℃) and the visibility was outstanding at roughly 50 feet. The exertions of executing search patterns and other tasks ensured that the water, cool at 51℉ (11℃), didn't have too chilling an effect. All in all, a very successful final qualification dive and a pleasant experience for all concerned. Well done, Mario....