Lake Wazee

[diverryan]

I have not been to this site yet and I would like to get a feel for what everyone thinks about it. How does it compare to Haigh or Lake Michigan? Pictures? Thanks

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have not been to this site yet and I would like to get a feel for what everyone thinks about it. How does it compare to Haigh or Lake Michigan? Pictures? Thanks

My experience at Lake Wazee is limited to some technical training dives and there are no doubt divers with much more experience there, but I will give you my impressions.

Visibility is pretty good for a quarry (30-40 ft or so) but there is not a whole lot to look at. In the part of the lake I dove there were some fish cribs and a some training platforms in 20-30 feet of water over a reasonably sandy bottom as well as a grove of submerged trees (Sherwood Forest) a little deeper.

The area where I dove was terraced along the old haul road so you dropped down more or less in 50 ft steps. There is a descent line to 100' and terraced below that there is a gargoyl and gazing globe at 150'. Silt along the haul road is not bad but there is still more than enough to screw up visibility.

At least in October when I was there water temps were around 60 at the surface and quite cold (mid 30's) below about 65 ft. Given the depth of the lake (355 ft), I suspect it stays very cold year round at depth so a dry suit is a very good idea if you are going below the thermoclime. I suspect water temps in the summer should be quite warm (by fresh water standards) near the surface, probably in the 70 degree range like they are here.

It's a nice lake overall though and I'd dive it again if I were in the area. There is a dive shop near the lake but it has seasonal hours and was closed in October when we were there. Camping facilites are available on site and within walking distance of where we were at on the lake.

Attached is a panoramic picture I assembled looking from the top of the haul road. You need to bear in mind the picture covers about 180 degrees of view with the grassy area on the left and the rock/stone path near the right side being in line with each other. The center of the picture is looking more or less east-south east.

The small bouy barely visible in the center of the picture is much closer to shore than it appears and is maybe 100-150' off shore. The bouy supports the ascent/descent line to the haul road at 100 ft. Some helpful soul also left a cell phone at the bottom of the 100' ascent line in case you need to call for more gas. The reception is really poor though.

The fish cribs and training platforms are on the right side of the picture fairly close to shore with Sherwood Forest being between them and the bouy.

It's a little smaller than Lake Michigan.

 

[ppo2_diver]

I'll be there the weekend of July 9 and 10. I can bring back a report if you'd like. It will be my first time there.

 

[SDAnderson]

Diving: Cold. Deep. Reasonably good visibility. Most of my time there has involved technical mix training, but I did a long shallow swim from the #2 ramp to the #4 ramp that was very interesting. Lots of small critters and rock formations, you'll be far enough off the beaten trail that things aren't badly chewed up. There are also some fish cribs that can be fun to watch.

Sleeping: There is camping at the site for those so inclined. There are some great parties late into the evening (campfires, narcosis, etc.) so for those needing sleep or for whom roughing it is staying somewhere without room service, try the Days Inn. I've stayed there a couple of times and have no complaints: big rooms, clean, nice staff, free breakfast, etc.

Dive shops: there are a couple of dive shops in the vicinity but the only one I have any real experience with is the Wazee Sports Center on 54. Very nice folks, fair prices and a clean and neat shop. EAN and TMX available.

Food: there are a number of fair to good restaurants in the area. Molly's in downtown BRF is a saloon worth visiting. Good microbrews, pretty good burgers, steer clear of the chili if you have a roommate or are diving dry. Check with Keith at Wazee Sports Center for the most recent list of places to eat and drink.

 

[Paco]

I have not been to this site yet and I would like to get a feel for what everyone thinks about it. How does it compare to Haigh or Lake Michigan? Pictures? Thanks

Go to wiscuba.com and look around on the local diving links. You'll find tons of underwater pictures and other information about Wazee. Incidentally, Wazee Sport Dive Shop is no longer on hwy 54, but I understand there is a new location nearby.

 

[Hoosier]

Hi DA,

Do you think MK25/S600 DIN will be in trouble below 100 ft over there? It sounds like that it is a quite cold water around 32 degree below 2nd thermoclime.

Thanks in advance,

My experience at Lake Wazee is limited to some technical training dives and there are no doubt divers with much more experience there, but I will give you my impressions.

Visibility is pretty good for a quarry (30-40 ft or so) but there is not a whole lot to look at. In the part of the lake I dove there were some fish cribs and a some training platforms in 20-30 feet of water over a reasonably sandy bottom as well as a grove of submerged trees (Sherwood Forest) a little deeper.

The area where I dove was terraced along the old haul road so you dropped down more or less in 50 ft steps. There is a descent line to 100' and terraced below that there is a gargoyl and gazing globe at 150'. Silt along the haul road is not bad but there is still more than enough to screw up visibility.

At least in October when I was there water temps were around 60 at the surface and quite cold (mid 30's) below about 65 ft. Given the depth of the lake (355 ft), I suspect it stays very cold year round at depth so a dry suit is a very good idea if you are going below the thermoclime. I suspect water temps in the summer should be quite warm (by fresh water standards) near the surface, probably in the 70 degree range like they are here.

It's a nice lake overall though and I'd dive it again if I were in the area. There is a dive shop near the lake but it has seasonal hours and was closed in October when we were there. Camping facilites are available on site and within walking distance of where we were at on the lake.

Attached is a panoramic picture I assembled looking from the top of the haul road. You need to bear in mind the picture covers about 180 degrees of view with the grassy area on the left and the rock/stone path near the right side being in line with each other. The center of the picture is looking more or less east-south east.

The small bouy barely visible in the center of the picture is much closer to shore than it appears and is maybe 100-150' off shore. The bouy supports the ascent/descent line to the haul road at 100 ft. Some helpful soul also left a cell phone at the bottom of the 100' ascent line in case you need to call for more gas. The reception is really poor though.

The fish cribs and training platforms are on the right side of the picture fairly close to shore with Sherwood Forest being between them and the bouy.

It's a little smaller than Lake Michigan.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Some people have good luck with the Mk 25 in very cold water. Personally I never froze my Mk 25's up in around 100 dives in mid 30 degree water with D400 second stages, but after the 4th time one of the buddy's MK 25's froze up on the same dives, I switched to Mk 20's with the older SPEC kit (silicone filled ambient chamber) and most recently switched to sealed Mk 17's. I figured it was just prudent to eliminate the potential risk.

With the temps at depth in lake Wazee, unless you used really good cold water technique, it could definitely be a problem. SP does claim the Mk 25 to be reliable in water colder than about 50 degrees.