Gilboa Quarry iced over

[wb416]

How about an update. Was thinking of heading down 2/24.

Once Gilboa freezes over, it takes a good amount of days with temperatures above freezing before it thaws back out. All the heat energy is drained from the quarry when it starts freezing, so it doesn't sit and vacillate back and forth between frozen and open... at least that's what I've witnessed over the past 7 years there.

 

[TODD HEATH]

So were is anyone diving then? Without driving a day and a half from Michigan?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

So were is anyone diving then? Without driving a day and a half from Michigan?

If you're in Michigan and you don't want to drive too far, given the temps we've had up here the past 3-4 weeks, your only option is to dive under the ice, because any water that's still clear is going to be in a river and most likely moving too fast to be safe. I know the slower rivers here in IN are all frozen over, and certainly the lakes, ponds and quarries are sealed in.

 

[rjchandler]

So were is anyone diving then? Without driving a day and a half from Michigan?

Caribean????

 

[wb416]

Talked with Mike at Gilboa today... he said as luck would have it, there was a small patch of water kept open by several geese and some swans stirring things up during that sub-zero spell.

Furthermore, he said it looks like there is a strip extending across the quarry that is trying to turn back to slush. Since we are getting (and are forecasted) temps above 40F through the weekend, he's going to pump water on top of the ice this week to see if he can get it to open back up (he's had some success with this in the past.)

Supposed to be talking with him later in the week to see how things progressed.

 

[dsater]

We've been diving in Marine City, MI in the St. Clair River. Was just out yestday doing a drift dive. 20-30 Ft viz. Current just a little faster then in the summer/fall. The beach area where we went in was pretty much frozen over except for a perfect little triangle hole that made for great entry.

 

[TODD HEATH]

Was thinking of going down Saturday 2/24. Was wondering if anyone had a quick update. Iced over or not?

 

[DudleyNMU]

I am wondering the same...Is it open or not...

 

[wb416]

Was thinking of going down Saturday 2/24. Was wondering if anyone had a quick update. Iced over or not?

Talked to Mike on the phone this afternoon and he said there is an opening approximately 100' x 150' on the shallow side (I think he said by dock 6, but I'm not sure) and it's open right in front of the deep dock now.

He's been pumping water on the ice all week, but lack of direct sunshine (and all the damp fog he's had) has kept the melting down. The ice seems to look about 1.5 inches thick yet where it's still covered.

 

[DudleyNMU]

thanks for the report...