Freshwater question from a noob....

[markstanco]

Hello all, I have been lurking for a while but never signed up...

Question...

Going on a freshwater dive in Arkansas in a few weeks with my wife to be, and we have both been diving for about 10 years. Neither of us has been on a freshwater dive before.

Anyhow, the vis will be around 10 feet and was wondering a few things. How deep can we expect to go down and have clearity? 25 feet maybe? Also, we will be going to central Arkansas on Labor Day to dive, and if anybody is on here from the area, wetsuits?

Great board, and thanks for any additional tips in advance!

 

[cummings66]

Hello all, I have been lurking for a while but never signed up...

Anyhow, the vis will be around 10 feet and was wondering a few things. How deep can we expect to go down and have clearity? 25 feet maybe? Also, we will be going to central Arkansas on Labor Day to dive, and if anybody is on here from the area, wetsuits?

Well, if you don't go below 25 feet a 3mm would be fine. If you go below it then you'll probably find a 7mm nice. You didn't say where exactly you intend on diving, but temps in a lake can range a lot in the summer from the 50's to the 70's or higher.

Vis is also highly variable, I've seen 30 - 40 feet, and I've seen 1' in the same lake on the same dive. Once below the thermocline it will usually be a bit better, then as you get down 80 or 90 feet it will start getting darker again and again depends on the lake.

If you haven't done so yet, check out the midwest muck divers on this site;

http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=312

I'm guessing this is the place you're diving?

http://www.scubaadventurer.com/quachitadam.htm

If so I think I might be temped with a wetsuit heavier than 3mm, but a 3mm with hood would probably be ok. I would bring both myself and then change into the 7 for the second dive if I found the 3mm to be cold. 70 is an ok temp for me and a 3mm, but once below 68 degree's I like the 7mm suit, personal preferences. I like a hood because my ears feel like they're freezing off once I get below 68 degrees too.

 

[Canadian_Diver]

Anyhow, the vis will be around 10 feet and was wondering a few things. How deep can we expect to go down and have clearity? 25 feet maybe? Also, we will be going to central Arkansas on Labor Day to dive, and if anybody is on here from the area, wetsuits?

First, welcome aboard!!!

Visibility can vary in freshwater lakes and with time of year, and current conditions.

For example, the lake we train in, is ALWAYS better right after the ice comes off, and late fall before it freezes over. We're talking 50ft visibility versus 15ft visibility.

Also, if it has just rained, that can bring the visibility down even further from runoff water. Whether you're above or below the thermocline can also make a difference. Above the thermocline, the visibility in that lake is much worse than below due to suspended particulate.

Now, if you go to Lake Superior, or some of the other other freshwater lakes, you can get 40-50ft visibility year round.... the visibility is typically worse in the spring and fall and good throughout the summer.

So, it's really quite a mixed bag that relies upon weather, algae, boat/human traffic, thermocline, time of year, and the lake itself.

Sorry I can't be more specific. Have a fun time diving!