Improving Table Rock Dam Diving

[DeepDiverBob]

The Corp of Engineers is asking for the diving community to let them know what we would like them to do to make the dam a more diver friendly place. All ideas can be submitted to the Corp of Engineers. Obviously, they will need to replace the wooden steps. That has been needed to be done for some time anyway.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Table Rock Project Office
4600 State Highway 165
Branson, Missouri
65616-8980
Phone: (417) 334-4101
Fax: (417) 334-4169
Email:
ceswl-tr@usace.army.mil

[scububa]

The Corp of Engineers is asking for the diving community to let them know what we would like them to do to make the dam a more diver friendly place. All ideas can be submitted to the Corp of Engineers. Obviously, they will need to replace the wooden steps. That has been needed to be done for some time anyway.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Table Rock Project Office
4600 State Highway 165
Branson, Missouri
65616-8980
Phone: (417) 334-4101
Fax: (417) 334-4169
Email:
ceswl-tr@usace.army.mil

I think steps with no deep knee bends is going to be all we can expect and would be great. Most anything else that they would put there (shelves, racks, etc.) would get used by picnic'er's, etc. and wouldn't be free for diving for the most part. They are going to be restricted in what they can do also. I think steps is a great start. I don't see the need for training platforms, etc. at that site. There are already some great rock shelves. The entry is pretty decent. Maybe a light for the steps. A light at the water entry would jsut draw bugs.

[DeepDiverBob]

From what Diane at Table Rock Inn told me was they realize that the divers brings a lot of business to the area, so they are willing to do some extras for us. I say lets ask for the stars, if we we have to settle for the moon, thats not too bad.

[scububa]

From what Diane at Table Rock Inn told me was they realize that the divers brings a lot of business to the area, so they are willing to do some extras for us. I say lets ask for the stars, if we we have to settle for the moon, thats not too bad.

On the other hand, be careful what you ask for, you might get it ;-| IF they put in many amenities, there will likely be a use fee to follow, someone checking cards, not wanting you to dive doubles without the right kind of card...and you get the idea, eh?

[theskull]

. . . I say lets ask for the stars, if we we have to settle for the moon, thats not too bad.

How 'bout scooter rentals, a snack bar, Nitrox fills, and Safety Patrol to prevent solo diving?

I'm with 'buba on this one. A safe set of wood steps that my fitness-challenged buddies can easily navigate, and leave the rest unspoiled and looking like a lake.

theskull

[scububa]

How 'bout scooter rentals, a snack bar, Nitrox fills, and Safety Patrol to prevent solo diving?

I'm with 'buba on this one. A safe set of wood steps that my fitness-challenged buddies can easily navigate, and leave the rest unspoiled and looking like a lake.

theskull

Whoa, wait a minute, Snack Bar....hmmm, maybe I was a little hasty....ummmm, donuts...dooohhhh

[DeepDiverBob]

I wouldnt mind some picnic tables, steps with a light or two, and more importantly, I would like to see expanded hours, even if it has to be by special permission, for night dives.

[Atlaua]

I wouldnt mind some picnic tables, steps with a light or two, and more importantly, I would like to see expanded hours, even if it has to be by special permission, for night dives.

Hours?

Is that something new? I've done night dives at the dam.

[DeepDiverBob]

Hours?

Is that something new? I've done night dives at the dam.

I've done them too...but about 9:30 or so, the rangers start trying to hurry people out of there by 10.

[scububa]

I've done them too...but about 9:30 or so, the rangers start trying to hurry people out of there by 10.

Never been hurried, but they do want you out by 10:00 and I have gone pretty close a couple of times.

ref my initial comments...picnic tables will very often never be available for divers...lights will draw bugs, placement would be critical...risk of degrading the site exists...bureaucracy typically guarantees it to be high risk.

[DeepDiverBob]

I think picnic tables would be like like parking spots. Get there early to get one before everybody else.

[theskull]

I think picnic tables would be like like parking spots. Get there early to get one before everybody else.

Until you're in the water. Then some family would come along and say, "Look, somebody left all their crap here and went off; let's shove it all off into the dirt and have lunch here."

theskull

[Atlaua]

Until you're in the water. Then some family would come along and say, "Look, somebody left all their crap here and went off; let's shove it all off into the dirt and have lunch here."

theskull

They'll only do that once. After you come out of the water and drop your dripping equipment in the middle of their lunch, they'll get the idea.

[Quarrior]

I'm moving to Idaho, so I really don't have a dog in this hunt. But, I go along with the idea of fixing the wooden steps so its easier to get in and out. Any of the other things will just create a mess and potential confrontation between divers and picnickers.

[Charlie19]

I don't want the C of E to do anything for me. Just leave me alone to do my thing. As long as I am not damaging the park property, I want no interference from them. Don't provide any tables, but don't forbid me to set up a table for my own use.

The Ranger's job should be to aid the tourists in enjoying the park and lake, not sit around and make up a lot of rules about what we can't do.

Eliminate the 10:00 o'clock rule.

Eliminate the use fee at Moonshine Beach. The taxpayers have already paid for the new spillway and swim beach.

Make the entry at the metal steps safer by adding more chat type gravel. Remove the large rocks that are hazards right there at the entry.--No, wait, I can do that myself next time I'm down there. So, just put down the gravel and forget about the rocks.

[theskull]

I don't want the C of E to do anything for me. Just leave me alone to do my thing. As long as I am not damaging the park property, I want no interference from them. Don't provide any tables, but don't forbid me to set up a table for my own use.

The Ranger's job should be to aid the tourists in enjoying the park and lake, not sit around and make up a lot of rules about what we can't do.

Eliminate the 10:00 o'clock rule.

Eliminate the use fee at Moonshine Beach. The taxpayers have already paid for the new spillway and swim beach.

Make the entry at the metal steps safer by adding more chat type gravel. Remove the large rocks that are hazards right there at the entry.--No, wait, I can do that myself next time I'm down there. So, just put down the gravel and forget about the rocks.

I like the way you think.

I for one don't have a problem with the 10:00 rule, though. In the past they have been very lenient on that when we were doffing gear after a night dive or two, and I am sure their bigger concern is the potential drinking/drugs/sex activities that would be taking place on the beach without a curfew--and those types of park users make me a little nervous when I'm coming out of the water late by myself or with just 1 buddy.

theskull

[Wkndbum]

make me a little nervous when I'm coming out of the water late by myself or with just 1 buddy.

theskull

Would that be this buddy? "my fitness-challenged buddies"

[theskull]

Would that be this buddy? "my fitness-challenged buddies"

Not so much that one(s) as "my significant other buddy"!

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

I'm not as fitness challenged as I use to be...

[theskull]

I'm not as fitness challenged as I use to be...

Hooray for that.

BTW, I was not referring to any specific buddy in that respect--I have carried gear for any number of buddies down and/or up that set of wooden stairs.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

Hooray for that.

BTW, I was not referring to any specific buddy in that respect--I have carried gear for any number of buddies down and/or up that set of wooden stairs.

theskull

Not mine...if you remember, I had Ed haul it back on the boat...LOL

[scububa]

Hooray for that.

BTW, I was not referring to any specific buddy in that respect--I have carried gear for any number of buddies down and/or up that set of wooden stairs.

theskull

I can vouch for that.
Tried to make me feel bad for being so slow ;-)
But, it didn't work :-D

But, along the fee lines, I think why they have access fees and control at Moonshine Beach, is to control the place, not to pay for it. And, the crowd that typically abuses places haven't really paid any significant tax bill. The only benefit to us divers if they eliminate the Moonshine Beach fee, is that less people will use the dam site because they will be at the Beach. So, under that logic...I could maybe get behind it.

[DeepDiverBob]

I can vouch for that.
Tried to make me feel bad for being so slow ;-)
But, it didn't work :-D

But, along the fee lines, I think why they have access fees and control at Moonshine Beach, is to control the place, not to pay for it. And, the crowd that typically abuses places haven't really paid any significant tax bill. The only benefit to us divers if they eliminate the Moonshine Beach fee, is that less people will use the dam site because they will be at the Beach. So, under that logic...I could maybe get behind it.

you think too much...lol