Any Pittsburgh area divers?

[Ready4Launch]

Just moved to Pittsburgh, PA from Ventura, CA. (Yeah, really sucks for the dive opportunities.) Any recommendations for diving in the area in general? Erie and further up to NY looks to be about the only real game in town. Anything better or worth the time out of Cleveland or Toledo?

 

[frndrfoe]

Hey Ready,
I just got back in to diving last year and have not done much around here either but i did find this list.
The links don't go anywhere but it at least gives you info to start searching on.

There are some local quarries that the dive shops use that might be on private property so you have to go through the shop to get access. The shop I use is always happy to have people come out when they are doing check out dives to promote keeping skills current.

Sorry for the late reply but I just stumbled across your post doing a google search

 

[gr8jab]

What? Not interested in drift diving the Monongahela.

 

[Frank Belvin Sr.]

Just moved to Pittsburgh, PA from Ventura, CA. (Yeah, really sucks for the dive opportunities.) Any recommendations for diving in the area in general? Erie and further up to NY looks to be about the only real game in town. Anything better or worth the time out of Cleveland or Toledo?

I actually live in Uniontown. It's only about 45 minutes from Pittsburgh. As previously said there are a couple of quarries within a few hours of Pittsburgh. I did my certification at Gilboa Quarry. It's an amazing place to dive. 20-30' vis, awesome sunken sights, fish everywhere. Strawberry Quarry is also near. I haven't dove there, but I've heard alright things. Dutch Springs is also within a few hours. I intend on going there in the next few weeks. That's closer to Allentown, though. But, some of the best diving in PA from what I've been told. If you need a dive buddy send me a message, and we can possibly coordinate something!

 

[frndrfoe]

Strawberry quarry is on private property and you have to go through a dive shop to get access, it is only about 25 feet deep and visibility was pretty poor the time I dove there.
I just got permission last weekend from a friend to dive a pond on his property that he said is about 38ft deep. I think it might be fun since no one has ever dove it before and they have found some early 20th century bottles around it, there's no telling what people have thrown in there over the years.
I got my kids certified last year and we are taking AOW and nitrox this summer. Going to NC for those checkout dives in July. We dive a threesome so we can always take a forth... fifth...

Frank, Have you dove Yough River Lake?

 

[Frank Belvin Sr.]

Strawberry quarry is on private property and you have to go through a dive shop to get access, it is only about 25 feet deep and visibility was pretty poor the time I dove there.
I just got permission last weekend from a friend to dive a pond on his property that he said is about 38ft deep. I think it might be fun since no one has ever dove it before and they have found some early 20th century bottles around it, there's no telling what people have thrown in there over the years.
I got my kids certified last year and we are taking AOW and nitrox this summer. Going to NC for those checkout dives in July. We dive a threesome so we can always take a forth... fifth...

Frank, Have you dove Yough River Lake?

I haven't. I see that you're going to NC. I dove the Jackson and Advance II there a couple of weeks ago out of Roanoke Island Outfitters in Manteo. I didn't get the chance to do the German sub (weather took a turn).

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I dive strawberry on occasion. You can actually hit 35-40 ft in some spots. It's a nice little spot to take students for me. It lends itself well to underwater navigation practice. Divers should probably stay away from here though if your buoyancy and trim are not good. Silt is deep and fluffy. Easily disturbed and can take vis to zero quick.
I will be at Gilboa probably 4 times this year. Dutch is like 6 and half hours from me in Canonsburg. The Ohio quarries are all less than 5.
The Yough is not a bad dive up by the dam where the boat launch is. I would not advise going there on weekends now. Too many idiots with boats and jet skis. Weekdays are nice if you can get up there. It gets cold below 30 or 40 feet.
There is also the backwater of Cheat Lake.
If you have a boat Mt. Storm in WVa is also cool. Max depth 125 ft and the lake is heated. Water temps in August will be close to 90. I've had 83 degrees at 120 ft. I'm heading to Circleville Ohio next weekend to take a photo class and meet a student to discuss future training.
If you have the guts you can also try spots down at Deep Creek in Maryland. Boaters are the biggest hazard.
Other than Mt Storm the one thing to remember about the deep quarries is they will be cold. below 60 ft in Gilboa you will see 38-40 degrees. If diving deep there you must file a deep plan. Some irresponsible shops try to skirt this by going in on the shallow side and dropping over the wall. Good way to get someone hurt or killed when their reg free flows.
Don't forget there is also some world class wreck diving 3 hours north or so in Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes. I'm diving from the Osprey at the end of August.