Scubagal
August 28th, 2005, 05:28 AM
We finally dove Quail Run Quarry (http://www.scubauww.com/quailrun.html) near Malvern, IA. One of the local dive shops here in Omaha uses this site for OW training dives. For $10.00 per person anyone with a c-card can dive here on weekends. Make arrangements with Underwater World in Omaha. It's less than an hour drive from Omaha. Quite an experience getting out to the site, reminded me of my younger days growing up on a farm. The road to the quarry was a one lane path, wouldn't even qualify as a dirt road. Corn field on one side, weeds taller than our Santa Fe on the other.
There were about 20 people diving this morning. Several were completing their OW training dives. The rest were either doing refresher dives or just wanted a chance to get wet. My hubby wanted to try out his Oly C5050 with his new DS-125 strobes. You can dive as deep as 50+ ft. at the quarry. We decided to stay right at or above the first thermocline and follow the shoreline. Lots of fish, many were very curious about us. A couple seemed to fall in love with Lloyd's camera. Got a chance to practice my navigation skills. At least I got us back to the dock!
We did one dive, 1 hour and 8 minutes. Above the thermocline (15-17 ft.) the water temp averaged 84, below it dropped to 74-76. From talking to others, it sounds as though there is another thermocline at about 30 ft., where the temps drop to the mid 50's. I guess I'll need to get drysuit certified if I want to go deeper. Visibility averaged between 15-20 ft., less in some places. You really have to manage your buoyancy at this site and stay clear of the bottom to avoid stirring up the silt. A fin stroke that's even a few feet away from the bottom can reduce visibility dramatically. All in all, it was an enjoyable dive.
After the dive, a gentleman walked up to us and asked if we post on the MidwestDive forum. He said he posts at St. Somewhere. It was very nice meeting you! Did you end up staying for the night dive? How was it? We got rain here in Omaha about 7:30PM.
Here's a few pictures of the curious Bluegill.
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270127.JPG
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270136.JPG
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270131.JPG
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270125.JPG
There were about 20 people diving this morning. Several were completing their OW training dives. The rest were either doing refresher dives or just wanted a chance to get wet. My hubby wanted to try out his Oly C5050 with his new DS-125 strobes. You can dive as deep as 50+ ft. at the quarry. We decided to stay right at or above the first thermocline and follow the shoreline. Lots of fish, many were very curious about us. A couple seemed to fall in love with Lloyd's camera. Got a chance to practice my navigation skills. At least I got us back to the dock!
We did one dive, 1 hour and 8 minutes. Above the thermocline (15-17 ft.) the water temp averaged 84, below it dropped to 74-76. From talking to others, it sounds as though there is another thermocline at about 30 ft., where the temps drop to the mid 50's. I guess I'll need to get drysuit certified if I want to go deeper. Visibility averaged between 15-20 ft., less in some places. You really have to manage your buoyancy at this site and stay clear of the bottom to avoid stirring up the silt. A fin stroke that's even a few feet away from the bottom can reduce visibility dramatically. All in all, it was an enjoyable dive.
After the dive, a gentleman walked up to us and asked if we post on the MidwestDive forum. He said he posts at St. Somewhere. It was very nice meeting you! Did you end up staying for the night dive? How was it? We got rain here in Omaha about 7:30PM.
Here's a few pictures of the curious Bluegill.
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270127.JPG
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270136.JPG
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270131.JPG
http://www.midwestdive.com/gallery/files//3/P8270125.JPG