Open Water Dive - Saturday, Kingston

[FreeFloat]

Open invitation for anyone who may want to dive this coming Saturday, Feb 7th, at Upper Brewers Mills Locks north of Kingston.

I have available some pretty detailed current info on the site itself - PM or e-mail me if you'd like a copy.

To get to the site I take Hwy 15 to Sunbury Rd. I don't know for a fact that "Brewers Road" (as shown on attached maps) goes right to the lock or not - I suspect it might, as reputedly there's a "swing bridge" on site. Take your chances if electing to try that route. Canal Rd off Sunbury Road is a narrow dirt road so be careful; however as of yesterday when I was last there it had been freshly plowed and sanded.

We're planning to meet at the largish parking lot by the gatehouse/visitor center by the downstream lock.

Additional things you may want to bring:
- dive light(s) as sometimes the viz ain't that great (varies daily)
- dry change of clothes as this is an exposed site without change facilities
- sled or toboggan to slide you gear down and up the hill (if you don't have one don't worry, I'm bringing mine regardless)

For Saturday we're expecting -1°C/-8°C air temps, NW wind @ 20 km/h, and chance of flurries. Note this may change.

If you would like to come and dive by all means feel free to bring a buddy and show up - if you don't have a buddy just drop me a PM so I have an idea of who to expect beyond those who have already spoken to me.

 

[artw]

In addition to that, from information I have received this dive is considered an intermediate/advanced dive due to the low visibility and the +/- 1 knot current.
The dive site is shown on the link to the photo below - the entry/exit point is from the dock directly above "C" in Cataraqui, and the dive itself is conducted under the word cataraqui itself.

http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/locks/brewers-upper.jpg

 

[FreeFloat]

I don't know if i'd go so far as to call it "Advanced", but I could see calling it "Intermediate".

I forgot to mention, I have a few commitments later on in the day so I was hoping to meet up around 09:30, with an eye to a potential second dive closer to noon if we're done the first early. Mind you this also depends on site conditions at the time as it could get too chilly for a second dive.

 

[JJ1]

So how was it?

Really wished I coulda made it down.........that dang work stuff got in the way though.

 

[FreeFloat]

It was great - it was cool. Art and I did 35 minutes at 11' in 32° water. But the sun even came out and the viz was outstanding - had to be at least 20'. The current was less than I observed on Thursday but still up around the 3/4 - 1 kt mark - similiar to the Connie.

There was very little ice - there was just a little shelf of it extending out from the downstream lock - Art went up to the edge of it to see what it looked like. But further under the ice boy was it ever dark.

Steve, a local ended up there as well and was diving around in his doubles. We went over and pulled his fins a couple of times. We almost felt sorry for him in 2' of snow climbing that hill... almost.

Art had his digital camera (although not underwater) and should be able to post some pics perhaps tomorrow - as well I got to finish off my roll of underwater pics so if I get them developed tomorrow perhaps I'll even have a few worth scanning and posting, myself.