Windmill Quarry

[Algae]

I just moved up Buffalo and I wanted to try Quarry Diving. I hear that Windmill Quarry is close and a pretty easy dive. I found directions, I'm wondering if any can give me tips on where to enter, general directions on where to see the different sites. Also, is these a place that posts general conditions. I'm looking to go for a dive out there June 24th

Thanks,

Algae

 

[shoredivr]

You might want to try Sherkston Quarry, same neighbourhood, it used to be a working quarry complete with train tracks and train cars which are still in place underwater. It seems they have a scuba shop there now as well.

Sherkston Shores - Ontario, Canada - Sherkston Scuba

 

[rhwestfall]

Welcome to Buffalo. Better than those, visit the local dive shops, and get with the divers here. A couple groups are active with shore diving the river, as well as charters on the lake for some fun wreck diving. Quarries would be my last choice.

 

[shoredivr]

Well, yes, Bob, the river is a blast and wreck diving is too but the OP *did* say quarries......

Do you dive with Dip-n-Dive on Niagara Falls Blvd?

 

[rhwestfall]

Well, yes, Bob, the river is a blast and wreck diving is too but the OP *did* say quarries......

Do you dive with Dip-n-Dive on Niagara Falls Blvd?

Yeah, he did, but I'm trying to steer him to something "better". The old mini-locomotives are cool in Sherkston, as is the car someone drove off the cliff, and the staged stuff in Windmill is great for classes/training, but..... with Erie and the River at your doorstep, its going to take something pretty bad to end up in the quarries. Plus, border crossing really make it lacking in appeal.

As to diving, I "freelance", diving on my own with my wife (I have my own boat). Never been a fan of the crowds... My old buddy used to DM for a shop here, and we used to dive Sundays as his therapy from working the charters... regrettably, he is no longer in the area.

 

[Algae]

Thanks for the feedback.

We plan to go on a dives with both DipNDive and Discover Diving in Buffalo, but we are just looking for a few easy dives to go on our own. All my diving has been ocean, most in California, so I don't want to try the rivers without an experience group. I'd also like to go with someone more experience in Erie. I heard all the good stuff is deep and my BF hasn't done deep diving yet. Once he gets a few more bucks, we'll work on his advanced certification. He's got about 13 dives under his belt so I'd rather him either take a class or be more experienced before we head deep.

I heard that the quarries were just easy so I thought for a few solo dives that would be fun. I don't mind the staged stuff. I like to take photos so staged stuff works just as well. But I'd love to try out Sherkston. ALso, is there any place to find out conditions (mainly temp). I got a 5MM and a 7MM farmer john (and a 1MM full). Would like to know what I should bring out with me.

THanks

Does anyone have "directions" to get to the stuff at Windmill or Sherkston. Like where to enter and what heading to swim out at?

 

[rhwestfall]

Sherkston flippin COLD!!! 7mm, hood and gloves, despite air temperatures. I'll see what I can find in my logs for Sherkston regarding bearings to the trains. The car was an accidental find as I actually swam into in when the vis was at its worst (LOL). I understand your consideration foe sites with your partner's experience.

There ar a few shallow wrecks in this end of Erie.

 

[ubp_sanity]

For Windmill, park opposite the entrance by the Dive flag. When you enter go to the right, follow the water around till you hit a ridge (the depth drops 5'), follow the ridge out into the middle, there are attractions dropped along the ridge.

Last week, visibility was 15' and temp was 54F