Trip Report - Oronogo Quarry, Oronogo, MO

[gNats]

The bridge in Table Rock is the old Kimberling City Bridge (aka The Lost Bridge). Part of the bridge was salvaged, but there is still a section there. Steel starts at 108', memorial bell at 120', bridge deck at 135', and river bed at 175'. These depths are all dependant upon water levels, of course.

gNat, the flywheel is at Oronogo.

Let me know when you plan to dive this bridge, and if you would like some company. It is a great dive! Just be ready for DARK conditions. Well worth the effort, though. The bell is also a very cool sight to see. It was placed in memory of a dive instructor/firefighter who lost his life in a hunting accident.

Hope this helps.

DW

As long as you are in this forum DW,

Can you please add to the "what is there to dive/see" at Oronogo? I know of the cabin cruiser, dog house (a real dog house?) plan, and caverns.

Maybe you could post the other cool things to see along with "why dive Oronogo" (other than it is there and the only game in town)

gnats

 

[Dark Wolf]

As long as you are in this forum DW,

Can you please add to the "what is there to dive/see" at Oronogo? I know of the cabin cruiser, dog house (a real dog house?) plan, and caverns.

Maybe you could post the other cool things to see along with "why dive Oronogo" (other than it is there and the only game in town)

gnats

Well, in the shallow end there is a computer set up, and various odds and ends. The plane is in about 45' of water. The SS Budweiser is in about 75', and the 4 Doors cavern varies from 60-85' depending on which door you enter. The Cabin Cruiser is about 90-95', and the dog house (yes, a real one) is about 100' or so. There are several platforms in the shallows that are used for training, and also a car pile in about 55' of water.

On to the deeper stuff. There is a speed boat that sits at about 140'. Several deep tunnels that range from 130' or so, to a couple at about the 175' mark. You have the cable ladder that bottoms at around 155', and the flywheel at 165'.

On the North end there are some other caverns like the Blue Room. It is a shallow dive between 60' and 80' if I remember correctly.

Why dive it? Well, since it is spring fed it is the same temp at depth year round and the vis is not affected as much as your local lakes. It bottoms out about 200'-210' so you can find all the depth you need if you are tech, or are doing practice dives for a tech class. It is for divers only, so you don't need to tow along a float. The ledges (the old roads leading down into the mine) are very nice platforms for practicing a variety of skills. And having the dive shop at the top of the hill means not having to pack up the car to go get air. Plus, with it being an old lead mine I guess there is always the off chance you might find a chunk that you could melt down to make some weights!

DW