8-Acre Lake

[Bantam]

I met Foggy there this morning for some kit checks (needed to get more time to get the twinset bedded in before Mull). Foggy - you are a star! Thanks for a good dive I'm only sorry it got too cold

As it's a new site, and relatively undived, I'll do a quick list of site +ve's and -ve's;

+ve's;
Very Friendly nice peeps who run it.
Only 30 divers per day. No scrum to get in the water.
Therefore, Easy Parking
Ease of Entry / Exit.
Free Tea and Coffee.
Bacon Sarnies on request ?
Loads to see in the lake already.
Very Local (well, for me anyway. I live 22 miles from it. However, I only live 11 miles from Bridlington. Go figure).
Changing room (a container heated with a patio heater - it works well)
Toilet

They've obviously built it from a divers background as it's very well done. Esp seeing as it only opened in anger on the 1st January. Parallels can be made with Capernwray 10 years ago - I remember going to the cape when it was just a couple of sheds.

-ve's (and there's only one);
Viz.

The guys have worked hard on this site and there's no getting past that. However, the bottom is very very fine mud / clay and silt. It doesn't take a huge amount to turn 5m clarity into a total silt-out, and if you're following anyone else it can be interesting sometimes, esp because the wind causes a slight current underwater. I kept on bumping into Paul (Foggy) accidentally because I had to keep close enough not to lose sight of him, yet I was conscious, because the viz was poor, that I was bumping into him.

I'm sure this will pan out with time. They have seen better viz in there and if you have a couple of calm days it won't take long to settle out.

That said it can be quite a challenging dive - navigation skills need to be top notch - as there's quite a few good features - just need to be able to find them. Also, your bouyancy skills need to be top notch as there is no fixed point of reference. It's a really good place to teach low-viz skills successfully and relatively safely.

So don't let that single point put you off - it's a perfect location to test your kit and if you live in the north east it's perfect.

Mark.

[tom]

Originally Posted by Bantam

No scum to get in the water.

That's going to cut down their customer base - wonder how they'll enforce it?

[Balders]

Good write up.

I am off over there to check it out later this week.
I asked the owner over the phone why only 30 divers per day and he admitted the viz is'nt up to much at the mo. He also does'nt want it to get like a certain midlands dive site we know of.

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by tom

That's going to cut down their customer base - wonder how they'll enforce it?

Shit. Trust you to pick that up!!



Although that would be a selling point being quite to close to a certain major conurbation with Europe's biggest Council Estate wouldn't it?

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Bantam

-ve's (and there's only one);
Viz.

Mark.

Mark

What viz did you get. When I was there is was half a metre (or less), about a month ago. Is it improving?

I would really like to dive this site with good viz. Probably have to wait til may now.

Gary

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by GaryC

Mark

What viz did you get. When I was there is was half a metre (or less), about a month ago. Is it improving?

I would really like to dive this site with good viz. Probably have to wait til may now.

Gary

At worst, half a metre (rare)
Mainly 2m or 3m. Could probably make out a shadow 4m away.
At Best, probably 5m or so. When we came up the nearside bank (where the tree is) from 11m into the shallows at 5m or so.

I agree - I bet this site will be excellent with good viz. I noticed there were some hay bales in the water yesterday to try to absorb some of the muck.

If there were some way to make the silt harden or thicken, then I think it would clear quickly. Else drain it, get *tons* of pea shingle or cobbles, and tip that in, making a decent coat on top of the clay. Then slowly refill it. That would work wouldn't it, but be horrendously expensive.

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Bantam

At worst, half a metre (rare)
Mainly 2m or 3m. Could probably make out a shadow 4m away.
At Best, probably 5m or so. When we came up the nearside bank (where the tree is) from 11m into the shallows at 5m or so.

I agree - I bet this site will be excellent with good viz. I noticed there were some hay bales in the water yesterday to try to absorb some of the muck.

If there were some way to make the silt harden or thicken, then I think it would clear quickly. Else drain it, get *tons* of pea shingle or cobbles, and tip that in, making a decent coat on top of the clay. Then slowly refill it. That would work wouldn't it, but be horrendously expensive.

That is certainly better than last month. Maybe when the windy weather calms down we could be having much better viz. If I remember correctly the guy said that he had 10metres + before christmas, it was only the severe wind that caused a problem.

He also discussed the possibility of draining the site, but covering it single would cost an absolute fortune.

Will have to keep an eye out for viz reports from the site, as they have joined the YD forum now me thinks. Maybe they can keep us up to date.

Regards

Gary

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by GaryC

... it was only the severe wind that caused a problem...

It was moderately windy yesterday. They are in an exposed position which is a godsend in some respects, but a nightmare in others.

There is a noticeable (albeit slight) current at depth which must be caused by the wind pushing the surface of the water and causing a circular current in the lake.

Their website has Viz reports on now - I noticed that on Saturday morning when they'd updated it.

Mark.