Freshwater diving spots in CT, RI, or MA

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Construction Nut

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Messages
18
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Location
Eastern Connecticut
# of dives
0 - 24
I was wondering if anyone knew any good freshwater diving spots in CT, RI, or MA. I like to see things when I dive not just the flat muck at the bottom of a pond. I have a boat so it does not need to be shore accessible.
 
I once dived Candlewood Lake, CT off I84 N. of Danbury. Somewhere near the N. end of the lake. OK until about 20' when all went black, but I don't know if that is usual or not (shore dive). There is also Squantz Pond which I believe is a bit W. of there. There is a dive shop in Brookfield that may have more info./exact directions.
 
Try Bigelow Hollow... in CT.
DEEP: Bigelow Hollow State Park/Nipmuck State Forest

I haven't found any real fresh water place to dive around here that had anything to see. At BH, at least you can play with the fish and feed them clams, do some skills, etc. It can be reasonably clear and there will be a thermocline with a good temp change. It's a good place to get a dive in and work on refining skills and equipment or just tooling around. Park at the boat ramp all the way in. Entry is easy. There is some boat traffic so bring a float and know what you are doing, but for the most part you should have no trouble.

Also, there are picnic tables and grills so you can make a day of it with friends not just diving but having a cookout and play in the water. Swimming there is great! You do have to pay for parking.

Some of the shops have classes there (did my rescue and DM there). Go early and get a spot. It really is beautiful there. Bring some insect repellant though.
 
Is it ok to solo there? I'm looking for a couple of quick dives this Saturday morning.

I've seen people solo there... No scuba police. It's whatever you want to do. There may be classes there, not sure an instructor will say something, but I doubt it unless you are looking like you don't know what you're doing and going out alone. Please, please, please, take precautions as a solo diver. I don't see too many dives in your experience, and would hate to see that you made a bad decision to dive alone!!! As with much of the discussion here on the board, there are pros and cons to diving alone but with less than 50 dives for experience, I'm not sure you should be diving alone...

That being said, enter BH from Bigelow Hollow Rd/RT171, pay the parking fee, then drive as far as you can until you get to the boat ramp at the very end. Park there then walk in about 500-600 ft. Bring a wagon of some sort with large wheels if possible if you want to bring your equipment to the entry area. Find a nice table and set down. I usually go off to the right where there is a nice sloping easy entry to the water. You will see what I mean. I've seen people leave their gear bags there while diving and also have suited up at the parking area and walked in... My pref is to suit up near the entry. Get there early as people will be getting there and scouting out tables for the day and parking (limited) can get crowded if it will be a nice day.

Boat traffic will usually be on your right as they are going out to the bigger part of the lake... On the right side, along with the boat traffic, is a wall of sorts and some interesting stuff... again, if you are not experienced diving around or passing through a boating lane, explore another part of the area. Definitely tow a flag. Also, carry shears or a knife. People fish there and stray lines may be present.

Have a great dive and pls be safe! I think the weather is calling for sunny and 78º.
 
Thanks, this is great information. I fully understand and appreciate your concern about my diving solo. I don't plan to do anything aggressive by any means. I've been looking for some shore dives in the area for just that reason. I've got a flag, shears and a knife. I spoke with the owner/head instructor at my LDS where I did all my classes, and help out with new classes. He thought I'd be fine with this type of soloing. But just like you, he said to be careful doing so.
 
Got there today, and got my first solo dives in ever. Pretty uneventful. Viz was barely 5-6'. There were a number of divers there, including was looked like a couple classes. When I crossed paths with them, the viz went to about 1'. I was able to make my way more to the right (not all the way across the boat lane) and down under the therm. Viz went up to about 12-15'. Down side was I saw maybe 5 fish the whole time. At one point I stopped short and turned around to see three of them following me. Maybe I'll try the far right wall next time.

Worked on my navigation and buoyancy. Monitoring my gauges/compass, working my inflator and towing a flag I could have used three hands. I need to get a wrist computer (I see the value of AI) and move my compass to my other wrist.
 
I have not tried BH yet. Have only been to beach pond. Visibility was good about 15'. Found an anchor thought that was cool.

Malpaso, I sent you a pm
 

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