Dutch Springs

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LouF - 11 Aug 2004 19:50 GMT

Our dive group is heading down to Dutch Springs this coming weekend.
I don't see much discussion here about the place and I wonder if
anyone has any information to share.

thanks

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nobody - 11 Aug 2004 20:53 GMT

> Our dive group is heading down to Dutch Springs this coming weekend.
> I don't see much discussion here about the place and I wonder if
> anyone has any information to share.
>
> thanks

Nice, relaxed place to dive. They fill tanks on premises. The Zebra
mussels have improved the visibility to 30'+. Some cool stuff to swim
to/through. The nicest 'destination' is the airplane on the submerged
"mountain". It's not too deep at that spot and there are usually some
fishies hanging there. Oh, and keep an eye out for the world's largest
goldfish.

Wear a 7mm farmer john or dry suit. This time of year the surface is
warm, but there are two thermoclines and the bottom temp is in the mid
to high 50's year round.

If the weather is good, expect hundreds of divers. Bring a tarp to lay
your gear on.

Bart F.

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H. Huntzinger - 12 Aug 2004 11:47 GMT

> Nice, relaxed place to dive. They fill tanks on premises. The Zebra
> mussels have improved the visibility to 30'+. Some cool stuff to swim
> to/through. The nicest 'destination' is the airplane on the submerged
> "mountain". It's not too deep at that spot and there are usually some
> fishies hanging there. Oh, and keep an eye out for the world's largest
> goldfish.

They also have a pretty nice bathroom/changing room, so you don't have
to wear a wet swimsuit home, etc.

> Wear a 7mm farmer john or dry suit. This time of year the surface is
> warm, but there are two thermoclines and the bottom temp is in the mid
> to high 50's year round.

If you have a drysuit, take it. I was last there in late August two
years ago; bottom temp was 52F. Dutch's reputation for decades is that
it is a colder dive than Willow Springs, PA or Round Valley Res, NJ.

> If the weather is good, expect hundreds of divers. Bring a tarp to lay
> your gear on.

Its raining today, its going to rain tomorrow, Saturday & probably
Sunday too...heavy...due to the remnants of TS Bonnie & Claude. The
water level certainly won't be low!

-hh

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Popeye NCAT3 - 11 Aug 2004 20:56 GMT

>From: LouF lffavrizio@snet.net
>Date: 8/11/2004 2:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>thanks

I've been there, and thought the place was fantastic for a quarry. Large, viz
was good, a fair amount of stuff underwater, good facility.

West Palm Beach it ain't.

Popeye
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice
letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

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whistler@san.rr.com - 12 Aug 2004 04:36 GMT

buzcutt454@aol.comByteMe (Popeye NCAT3) wrote in message

> I've been there, and thought the place was fantastic for a quarry. Large, viz
> was good, a fair amount of stuff underwater, good facility.

Did it overflow when you got in?

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Scott - 12 Aug 2004 04:42 GMT

> buzcutt454@aol.comByteMe (Popeye NCAT3) wrote in message
> > I've been there, and thought the place was fantastic for a quarry. Large, viz
> > was good, a fair amount of stuff underwater, good facility.
>
> Did it overflow when you got in?

No more than your mouth when he gets in your a.shole.

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whistler@san.rr.com - 12 Aug 2004 21:02 GMT

> > buzcutt454@aol.comByteMe (Popeye NCAT3) wrote in message
> > > I've been there, and thought the place was fantastic for a quarry.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> No more than your mouth when he gets in your a.shole.

You speak from personal experience, I take it?

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CFLav8r - 12 Aug 2004 01:45 GMT

"LouF" wrote in message ...

> Our dive group is heading down to Dutch Springs this coming weekend.
> I don't see much discussion here about the place and I wonder if
> anyone has any information to share.

A quick search on Google.com turns up quite a few discussions and dive buddy
requests.
But beware the first topic was not for the faint hearted.
You can also go to www.dutchsprings.com .
Or you can read the book "The Last Dive" it has several references to Dutch
Springs.

David
Orlando, FL

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LouF - 12 Aug 2004 12:40 GMT

Thanks to all for the info....thats exactly what I wanted, just a
general idea.

>Our dive group is heading down to Dutch Springs this coming weekend.
>I don't see much discussion here about the place and I wonder if
>anyone has any information to share.
>
>thanks

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TonyP - 12 Aug 2004 16:00 GMT

> Our dive group is heading down to Dutch Springs this coming weekend.
> I don't see much discussion here about the place and I wonder if
> anyone has any information to share.

I haven't done DS in years. One reason is the trip there. From where I
live, about 3 hours going, and who knows coming back (weekend traffic).
I went as AI during DUI demo days. Nice. Got to try a bunch of stuff for
free. Even rented a Sea&Sea Motormarine camera with film for only $5 to
take underwater photos. It is a great place for training with platforms
at different depths. You can practice a lot of skills in an environment
with no current.
There is not really much marine life (I have seen some large rainbow
trout), and the water below the thermo (as others have said) is cold.
Suiting up in the hot summer sun is no fun. Surface water temp can be in
the 70's, still too warm for 7mm or dry suits.
The 'attractions' are only 'ok'. Just something to see. And when
crowded, vis can drop dramatically.
For me, I did it 2 or 3 times. More than enough to not want to go back.
Especially when I can do wreck diving where I live.
Many go there and have a great time. Great facility. Great place to
practice your skills.

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