Massachusetts Freshwater

[bdpURI]

Anyone have any info on good freshwater dive sites in western or central massachusetts??

 

[reefguy06]

The Connecticut River. Lots of history along and "in" this river. Some of the old dump sites go back to colonial times and can yield some interesting finds. Fish life is plentiful, I've been able to hand feed broken mussels to Smallmouth Bass.
A few suggestions; ALWAYS use a dive flag (there are motor boats on the river), the viz is bad after a weekend of boating so try to go mid-week after water settles, keep an eye on water level at different times of the year as it is directly related to strength of current, viz is generally poor after rainstorms due to runoff.

 

[bdpURI]

Thanks ReefGuy. Where abouts can I find some of these dump sites? I've been going out on the river for a few years now in a ski boat in the Oxbow/Northampton area and have'nt seen any sign of divers ever.

 

[reefguy06]

Thanks ReefGuy. Where abouts can I find some of these dump sites? I've been going out on the river for a few years now in a ski boat in the Oxbow/Northampton area and have'nt seen any sign of divers ever.

I occasionally go out of the Oxbow with a couple of dive buddies too. There are several interesting sites not too far upriver. Check out the old logging booms above Mitch's Island. You may be lucky enough to find some old tools (maybe a PeeVee) from the log drive days. Also, a lot of evidence (concretions) can be found from the last ice age when the entire valley was a glacial lake, Lake Hitchcock.
As for where the dumps are, that's where river diving becomes fun. Most of these sites are small (one or two household) dump areas that are now pretty well covered or scattered by annual flood cycles and you just have to explore until you find something. We've found a few old sites in the Hadley/Hatfield area that have yielded some interesting old bottles. An underwater metal detector is a fun tool if you really want to get into it.
Look for mussels along a sandy bottom and crack them open underwater. Once the scent hits the water you'll have a few fish approach and you can hand feed them if your patient.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/keene.html

 

[bdpURI]

Thanks for all the info guys. Now if only the boat hadn't been winterized, I could have been out diving on this wonderful 59 degree January day.