Light Recommendations for Lake Diving

[mempilot]

I'm an ocean diver interested in taking advantage of diving the lakes when visiting the 'rents'. I have access to a lake in Kansas City that is about 110 feet deep and Green Bay's Little Bay de Noc and Big Bay de Noc off the pennisula splitting them in Escanaba, MI.

The question is:

Will a 10 watt HID provide enough light to cut the suspended particals in a warm water lake? And, I am assuming it would work fine in Lake Michigan/Green Bay?

[ozarkjim]

All I can tell you is it works fine in the White River Lakes as deep as the rec limits and in the coffee colored water of the Cooper River. It would of course depend on how much particulate matter you have... no vis is no vis regardless of the light level.

[nauifins73]

Trying to come up with where the lake is in the KC area. Fill me in please.

Thanks,
Becky

[theskull]

. . . The question is:

Will a 10 watt HID provide enough light to cut the suspended particals in a warm water lake? And, I am assuming it would work fine in Lake Michigan/Green Bay?

Nothing cuts through suspended particles!! In fact, some times having more than 10 watts can be a problem since the suspended particles reflect back much of the light.

The 10 watt HID is about ideal for diving low-viz fresh water lakes.

theskull

[Atlaua]

Nothing cuts through suspended particles!! In fact, some times having more than 10 watts can be a problem since the suspended particles reflect back much of the light.

The 10 watt HID is about ideal for diving low-viz fresh water lakes.

theskull


Amen to that. If you have 3' vis a light's not going to help. Where they are usefull is under the muck when it clears out. And TS right, my 10w HID is about right.

James

[theskull]

Amen to that. If you have 3' vis a light's not going to help. Where they are usefull is under the muck when it clears out. And TS right, my 10w HID is about right.

James

Once again we concur, oh master of the board. My 18w HID rules in clear water and caves, but in a murky lake I see much better with my 12w Halogen light.

theskull

[Atlaua]

What, you haven't upgraded to a 21 yet?

[mempilot]

Trying to come up with where the lake is in the KC area. Fill me in please.

Thanks,
Becky

I spent many years living on a private lake in Lee's Summit called Lakewood. The lakes are man-made and fed by springs. They are said to be over 100 feet, and it makes sense looking over the dry side of the dams into the valley below.

There is probably not much to see, but I figure where there is water, there is adventure, right? :)

The LS Underwater Recovery Team does training dives off the north damn on the west lake. My parents own a home on the east lake.

[mempilot]

The 10 watt HID is about ideal for diving low-viz fresh water lakes.

theskull

I currently use a Sartek 10w HID for wreck diving.

[mempilot]

What, you haven't upgraded to a 21 yet?

LOL. Too much dough right now. I'm working with IANTD to convert over to the Inspiration CCR by the end of the year.

The unit, the training, and the computer are setting me back about 10g's. I'll have to wait to spend another 1g on a light. :D

[nauifins73]

There is probably not much to see, but I figure where there is water, there is adventure, right? :)

The LS Underwater Recovery Team does training dives off the north damn on the west lake. My parents own a home on the east lake.

I agree maybe not much to see BUT it is water - all that is required :)

The LS Team - a group I have complete respect for. I wish I was closer I would love to help topside. I could never do the dives they do. Have you read the book on the team - very interesting.

Becky

[mempilot]

I didn't realize there was a book written on them. Do you know the title?

If I ever move back to LS, I'd love to get involved with the team.

I agree maybe not much to see BUT it is water - all that is required :)

The LS Team - a group I have complete respect for. I wish I was closer I would love to help topside. I could never do the dives they do. Have you read the book on the team - very interesting.

Becky

[nauifins73]

The title is Down Time - I ordered it from their website. www.lsur.org

Becky