NW CT diving spots for a newbie

[LordMicon]

As I just got myself and my wife thru certification, and advanced, I want to squeeze in one or two more dives before its too cold to get her in the water for a while. To that end, anything with good visability thats close would be great. I have heard from a few (and read here) that West Hill Pond in Barkhamsted / New Hartford is pretty good.

Like I said, I want to get wet, but have *her* like it. Visabilty is probably one of the bigger points, as being new, the thought that if I am more than 5' away and she starts to lose sight of me might be a bit much for her to handle right now.

Hoping that West Hills Pond fits the bill tho (since its like 30-45 min away, vs the 1-3 hours for the other sites we have hit so far in RI/Mass), how should I plan to enter the water / where should we dive in that locale? I have gleened from some posts here that there is a boat launch on the northern side, and a beach on the southern side. BUT, then I think I read that now entering the water for a boat launch is illegal. So, where/how do we get to the lake shore, where do we park, enter, etc. Any/everthing I can prep to make this a really really smooth easy dive will make it that much more likely she enjoys this hobby and keeps coming back for more!

Failing that, anyone need a buddy for a dive? :05:

 

[gfisher4792]

Good question. Last I heard, the town was figuring out where exactly they would allow divers to enter, as they apparently have stopped allowing entry from the boat dock and beach area. Haven't heard anything about it lately, so it may have changed. PM ctmax, as he lives near West Hill Lake.

Other than that, you can keep you eyes open here for announcements about open days for Portland Quarry. That has good vis (even during the middle of the summer), and attracts a lot of area divers. I would recommend avoiding Candlewood and Squantz Pond, if you're looking around.

 

[RiverRat]

I recently dove West Hill for the second time from the boy scout camp, be you'd have to know someone to get in. I've also dove Bashan Lake in the NE part of the state, went in from a Dam. That lake has comparable vis. I may be going to West Hill again in a few weeks so PM me if interested, but I can't promise anything as I was invited by someone tied in with the boyscout camp. Dutch Springs would be good for you, but it's 3 hours as well. I'm up for a trip there myself in the near future. Best bet is to drive up Friday night and stay over.

 

[LordMicon]

Hrm, so the beach area might be off limits too? How is a new diver to know whats allowed and what isn't? If I haddn't thought to come here and ask, I could easily see me driving up to there, donning gear, and going in. Actually, friends I talked to said they used to bring a canoe or something, row to the island in the center, and dive off there, but same effect basically.

I'm starting to think I wont find a quick place to run to this sunday with the Mrs. :shakehead

 

[ScubaSarus]

This is news to me. Looks like they have prevented all entries on public land.

 

[RiverRat]

This is news to me. Looks like they have prevented all entries on public land.

Looks like time for a boat or dive kayak

 

[LordMicon]

Well, to be fair, the friends who said the boat thing havent dove there for.. oh... 5-8 years. That may be off limits too. Does anyone know for certain that I can (or cant) get in the water there from *some* shore point? Or, could someone point out to me how I can tell whats allowed (or against the law) in general? Like, if I find a nice pond somewhere, what are the legalitys of just going in, if it seems to be a public location?

 

[gfisher4792]

Well, to be fair, the friends who said the boat thing havent dove there for.. oh... 5-8 years. That may be off limits too. Does anyone know for certain that I can (or cant) get in the water there from *some* shore point? Or, could someone point out to me how I can tell whats allowed (or against the law) in general? Like, if I find a nice pond somewhere, what are the legalitys of just going in, if it seems to be a public location?

Well, you may want to ask Scubasarus first, as I believe he's dove most of the waterbodies in our state. You can contact the town, which may be a crap shoot; same with the DEP.

 

[RiverRat]

You bring up a good point. I think it varies from town to town and the specifics are not always clear. For example, Lake Waramaug state park has a section on the board by the beach about diving (DEP postings) but no mention of designated entry/exit areas. Squantz pond has a specific area marked for divers next to the beach but they make you carry your gear all the way down the hill even though a road runs down by the area. This new law about not being able to enter from boat launches sucks. The boaters/fisherman obviously saw to it to make life a little harder for us divers. We need some new laws for divers.

 

[DWJ]

You bring up a good point. I think it varies from town to town and the specifics are not always clear. For example, Lake Waramaug state park has a section on the board by the beach about diving (DEP postings) but no mention of designated entry/exit areas. Squantz pond has a specific area marked for divers next to the beach but they make you carry your gear all the way down the hill even though a road runs down by the area. This new law about not being able to enter from boat launches sucks. The boaters/fisherman obviously saw to it to make life a little harder for us divers. We need some new laws for divers.

It's pretty hard to reconcile the dive flag distance restrictions and a boat ramp. The ruling is inconvenient but it makes sense. I would guess that the beach restrictions at West Hill would really only apply during the season and on nice weekends. If no one is using the beach, who cares? But it wouldn’t be a first to have the local yokels bust balls for the sake of busting balls.

Dave