Midwest Diving
Posted By Theresa Moniot on 12 November 2003
"You scuba dive? Cool! Have you seen lots of interesting and colorful fish?" That’s one of the most common questions I get when someone finds out I’m a diver. Then I answer, "Not too colorful, as I’ve never been diving out of the Midwest." That’s right, I’m a cold-water diver. Not completely by choice, as I dream of the day I dive in warm water with the pretty fish, sharks, and other aquatic life that ocean diving brings. But for now, money and vacation time (lack thereof) dictate that I dive around my home, which is Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Of course, the next questions I’m asked are where do I dive around here and is there really anything to see. But beware—if you ask me that, I could talk for hours! I absolutely love the places I have been: four quarries, two Great Lakes, and one inland lake. I have over 75 dives in, and I have never been cold yet in my 7-mil.
I admit I’m not picky when it comes to diving. As long as there’s water and it’s deep enough to descend, I’m basically happy. But there really are interesting sights to see diving in this area. For instance, at Lake Wazee (a quarry) in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, there’s an underwater "patio" that entertains divers. I saw it at night, which was even more thrilling, I think. Picture swimming along at dusk in dark water with your light shining ahead of you, when suddenly you see a bright pink flamingo! I laughed out loud right into my regulator. There were several other lawn ornaments, a white picket fence, and a couple space shuttles suspended on a tree branch, all right around 30 feet down. Maybe it’s the little things in life…but I found it rather amusing and well worth the dive.
In Redgranite Quarry, west of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, there’s a sunken snowmobile and a little boat or two. My buddy and I found a bowling ball (but left it there), golf balls, tennis balls, a VCR, a $1-bill still in good shape, and evidently there is a scooter somewhere, as we had a couple area youth ask us if we had found one. Apparently, they had ridden it in off the cliff and forgot to hold on to it…
Lannon Quarry in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is my "home" diving spot. It only gets about 35 feet deep. There are plenty of fish, a mining cart of some sort, and a picnic bench. Those aren’t thrilling items, but to new divers they are pretty neat. It’s also just a good place to feel safe while diving, and to practice basic skills.
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