clark hill lake

[diveprof]

It appears that the vis is returning to Clark Hill/Lake Thurmond (E. Dam). We had two good dives today. Vis was only 4-5' below 85' and between 40-48' is was about 6', but between 50 -85' vis was 15-18'. The 80' wall (@70' or so today with the lake down 10') was great. We had 5 divers each dive today. We dove the first dive together for the first part of the dive, but as two of us were on nitrox (36 mix) we separated about 1/2 waythrough the dive. We were off to a slow start as the second group had problems with their flag reel at 30' (tangled line). After this was resolved, we dove the 3 big rocks, 40' ledge, angel statue 65' ledge and down to the 100' wall (@90' today). Upon ascending we noted the improvement in vis above 85'. We dove the north wall, then turned south past the big stump and then along the 55' ledge. Passing the bouy we enter the trench and then then headed upward to the Clark Hill Kelp forest (hydrilla) at 15'. Lots of bream and a few nice bass. Dive 1 was 90' for 1:08. Dive two (air dive) began after a 1:15 surface interval. The sun broke out for our second dive. We began our dive heading to the 3 big rocks, then down to the missle (72' today) ad then to the 80' wall (70' today). We swam the entire wall, then went upward through the forest along the 65' ledge until we hit the double ledge. With a turn to the SE we hit the north wall, big stump, and then swam along the 55' wall, past the bouy and into the trench. We swam past the angel statue, then upward to the gnome and back to the hydrilla at 15' for our safety stop. 78' for 58 min. We are diving tomorrow at 1p.

 

[willardj]

Great to here everything is getting back to the norm. It was nice to talk to you and learn a lil bout the place. See ya'll Sat. bright and early. If there is no other problem's. (Dang dog)

 

[diveprof]

We did two dives today. It was 80+ degrees (this is October right?). The 80' wall was the best I have seen it in a while (20'vis), but vis in other depths is less: 15-20' 50 -85', 4-5' below this, 3-4' 40-50', and 6-8' or so above.... I ma not sure if the lake has finished it's "turnover" or if it stalled halfway through. Diving today reminded me of 3 weeks ago. The thermoclines seem to be reforming??? (Quick, someone call Al Gore, more evidence of Global warming) Next week it is supposed to be in the 90's. Not sure what this will mean.... Water temps were 75 at the surface and 62 at 90'. We just planned our dive to spend max time on the 80' wall and forest where the vis was best.

 

[diveprof]

Update after Tuesday's dive (10/9/07). Not sure if the lake is turning yet or if it has stalled. Lake temp (surface) went up from 74 to 76 degrees in two weeks?? This is October right???? We dove at 6:15pm. Vis remains pretty much as described above. 80' wall (aka 70' wall this week) was great- no lights needed at 6:15pm). We dove to 116' for a total dive time of 1:06. We had a great dive (planned most of it for the best vis).
Everything below about 83' was 2-3' or less, 52-83 was great vis 18'+, 40-52' was poor (4'). 40' ledge (AKA with 10' drop in lake levels: the 30' ledge) was 6-8'. The plane was 8-10' and the vis on the rocks of the dam was about the same. River vis has been 8-10 consistent. If you are comfortable with some poor vis during the ascent, the the 80'wall at the lake is great. We sort of plan our dives to stay in the best vis, but there will be spots of lower vis. It is not the lake at it's best, but the 80' wall is really great now(it is hard to find it all great). Cold front moving in for the weekend and I refuse to be the weatherman who is content with his predictions being right 20% of the time so I make no guarantees.
As an alternative plan, some of us are thinking the river Sunday afternoon (also a great dive -shipwreck in 15' and a 1-1.5 hour drift dive). You are welcome for either, just pm to confirm the exact schedule.