Algal Cloud in quarry

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Robert Kahler

Registered
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Location
Alabama
# of dives
200 - 499
So we started diving a quarry that filled up in the late 1960s. According to the owner only two other people have ever tried diving this quarry (it was too dark and cold so only one dive). The quarry is said to be around 80' deep, but we encountered a dense algal cloud at around 50' that makes it dark and less than 1' vis at 55'. Surface water temp is around 78 degrees with a 22' thermocline below which the water is 58 degrees and 45 degrees at the algal cloud. I call it a cloud because there are "puffs" of algae that look like round rocks or like your descending into the tops of clouds. We will make another attempt in a couple of weeks to descend to the bottom of the quarry. The question is based on anyone's experience with other quarries, should the algal cloud clear up at some point before reaching bottom at 80'?
 
The earlier in the season and the colder the water, the better the vis will most likely be. Our quarries are most comfortable this time of year, but on average have the worst vis this time of year
 
The earlier in the season and the colder the water, the better the vis will most likely be. Our quarries are most comfortable this time of year, but on average have the worst vis this time of year

Thanks, we plan to continue to dive this quarry so that's good to know.
 
The same thing happens to the quarries and the smaller local lakes around here. By this time of year, the algae is in full bloom. Then it starts to settle, while more algae blooms on the surface, and then that settles, etc. As a result, the whole water column gets pretty murky. We're lucky if we get 5', and it's usually less than that. The best time to dive is in early-October. The water temps have started to cool down a bit, but not too bad. But the shorter days and cooler air temps means that the algae has stopped blooming and has started to settle on the bottom. By late-October and into November they are very clear, but the water has started to cool down even more. Since you are Alabama where it is hotter than up here, you might have to adjust that timetable according to your local weather.
 
The earlier in the season and the colder the water, the better the vis will most likely be. Our quarries are most comfortable this time of year, but on average have the worst vis this time of year

that's our experience in the carolinas too. Best vis usually around Feb-April, but also the worst temperatures
 
that's our experience in the carolinas too. Best vis usually around Feb-April, but also the worst temperatures

Thanks for the responses. I guess ill need to start investing in some 7 mild for some cold February diving.
 
Capernwray, our local quarry had a visibility problem, reported as down to 1m (3 ft) in places a couple of months ago. As yet the cause is unidentified. I have been in a couple of times since the poor vis was reported but so far have not come across it.
 

Back
Top Bottom