Orchard Lake

[ScubaFishee]

Does any one here have any information on diving in Orchard Lake?

Is there anything interesting to see? Sunken treasures, fish, interesting topography?

Now that the diveflag slalom course loving speed boats are slowly being put back into storage, maybe this might be a good place to play and get wet close to home.

 

[diver_paula]

Hi Scubafishee.

You are exactly right. I only dive Orchard Lake in the Spring and Fall. Well, occassionally on a weeknight if there aren't too many boats.

We dive from the boat ramp / parking area off of Orchard Lake, North of Pontiac Trail. I've known some divers to actually enter the water from the ramp. I've always gotten into the water by the trees to the left of the little harbor (when looking at the lake). It gives one a shorter walk / snorkel distance to a decent depth.

The only interesting thing I've found, well my buddy actually did, was a message in a bottle. Sure took some time to get the message out without breaking the bottle. We plan to re-seal the bottle and hide it better this time.

Other than that, it's a typical local lake with muck and the occasional fish. Nothing intentionally sunk that I know of. Off to the left at about 45deg (I can't recall the real degree heading) is a deep hole. I recall getting to over 100'. It's a fairly gradual slope so one can easily stop at any depth. If you are interested in the exact location, we found it from a contour map of the lake. I think it was in a book titled something like 'guide to Michigan inland lake fishing'.

& as you mentioned, you definitely want your slalom marker with you!

Paula

 

[ScubaFishee]

Paula,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like there's not much there. But at least's wet and close enough to work and home to go dive away the stresses of the day.

A few more questions, if I may ask:

How is the usual vis and what is the depth on average outside the hole?

Maybe I will get lucky and find the message bottle after you re-hide it. Are you going to put a new message in the bottle or just replace the same one?

 

[rjchandler]

hole is ringed by a weed bed- 6-8 ft deep on both sides. weeds come up to about 4ft from the surface now.

viz - you're kidding, right?

 

[ScubaFishee]

hole is ringed by a weed bed- 6-8 ft deep on both sides. weeds come up to about 4ft from the surface now.

viz - you're kidding, right?

Seems all of our waters get about the same viz, depending on the timing... you know, the 5 to 35 range. Too bad that usually inches, not feet.

 

[metfoo]

i was in recdivers on woodward this weekend, and grabbed some info. I found they had a website and they say they dive their during the summer months. I have never dove there, so I dont know what you can find or expect. I was thinking of joining recdivers at least once this coming spring.

 

[rjchandler]

Rec Diving was going every wednesday night. Its tapered off but you may find someone there on wednesdays at least until it gets really cold.

Heard on the radio yesterday that Orchard Lake was named 10th or 11th most polluted lake in MI. Happy diving , eh?

 

[ScubaFishee]

Yes, I heard that on the news this morning. They said something about it having high mercury levels.

Can mercury be absorbed into the body through the skin?

Maybe I need to invest in a rubber drysuit and a full face mask.

 

[ScubaFishee]

Here's a link to the article in the Detroit News.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/metro/0409/23/d01-282213.htm

 

[CathyS]

Here's a link to the article in the Detroit News.

Thanks for the link. I live 5 minutes from Orchard Lake and have been thinking it would be a nice, close option for a quick dive or two. I wish the article had specified whether the only mercury danger is from eating the fish, or if prolonged contact with the water could cause problems, too.