Best Flooded mines

[Mike Edmonston]

Hi Guys,

I'm getting ready to shoot some segments for an upcoming show, and wanted to include a cool mine dive. What in your opinion would be the best flooded mine to shoot?

I would prefer something more "Expedition" based and not a tourist open water attraction. I would also like to keep this in the US, with access to a dive shop within an hour or so (if possible).

If anyone here would like to "guide" the dive, or lend your expertice, or just show off your trim on TV , then I would love to include you on the shoot.

Safe Diving

[o2toxed2]

I dove a flooded mine in Canada. . . (somewhere) about 8 years ago. It was an abandoned asbestos mine. While gearing up I breathed off my reg and when I couldn't do that I was holding my breath. Cold, not excessively dark and you could safely play with the asbestos while under water and laugh at how it couldn't harm you there. We followed an old mine car track down to a little kitchen setup besides two old automobiles. 174' was the depth we stopped at but the track went a lot deeper according to my buddy/guide. He was from Canada and had dove there alot before (during classes). Looking back on it it was probably stupid to dive it b/c of it being an asbestos mine. Yeah, that's pretty much it.

[JDostal]

If you'd like to come up to Wisconsin, we have an active team of divers researching, exploring and diving old mines in the old mining districts of Wisconsin. We have one mine that is multi level - the upper sections have been explored to about 1300 feet and several in the team have pushed a deeper tunnel to close to 4000 (I think, would have to check their last survey notes). We've installed a habitat in this mine to help ease decompression in the colder water.

We finished exploring one of the other mines last year to about 1500 feet - this one was hand dug and has lots of artifacts in it. This mine was featured in ADM awhile back. This would be the more pleasing cave to video as the viz is similar to NFL caves.

These are not public in any way. Before anything could happen I would have to speak with the rest of the group as our access to these mines is very touchy.

[Mike Edmonston]

If you'd like to come up to Wisconsin, we have an active team of divers researching, exploring and diving old mines in the old mining districts of Wisconsin. We have one mine that is multi level - the upper sections have been explored to about 1300 feet and several in the team have pushed a deeper tunnel to close to 4000 (I think, would have to check their last survey notes). We've installed a habitat in this mine to help ease decompression in the colder water.

We finished exploring one of the other mines last year to about 1500 feet - this one was hand dug and has lots of artifacts in it. This mine was featured in ADM awhile back. This would be the more pleasing cave to video as the viz is similar to NFL caves.

These are not public in any way. Before anything could happen I would have to speak with the rest of the group as our access to these mines is very touchy.

Actually, that sounds pretty much like what I'm looking for. I was planning on coming up to Wisconsin and doing another Ice dive with Tamara at diversions, plus a good NAVY buddy of mine lives in Madison.

When is the best time to dive these mines? And, what kind of depth are we looking at?

I appreciate the info. Thank you very much.

[JDostal]

That's funny. Tamara is the person that originally explored one of the mines and is the person that really got us into an organized group We dive them year round - the water never freezes over. The viz usually stays about the same throughout the year.

The depth in the first mine varies on what tunnel you are in - the "upper" section dips down to about 70 feet at the worst. That is the most structurally interesting part - various little side shoots, and there are vertical shafts that connect the 70 foot section a 15 foot section. It is a lot of fun to go in the tunnel, up one shaft, down another, etc. The "deep" tunnel (where exploration is ongoing) is about 90-100.

The other mine has a max depth of about 30 feet. We can bounce to the end of it and back and never hit thirds.

[JDostal]

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdostal/Rodham12206

Just remembered I had some pictures of one of the mine available. Photos are all by Tamara Thomsen.

[Mike Edmonston]

http://picasaweb.google.com/jdostal/Rodham12206

Just remembered I had some pictures of one of the mine available. Photos are all by Tamara Thomsen.

Wow! Excellent pics! Vis is really nice also. What is water temp 40's?

Thanks

[JDostal]

Usually mid to high 40's. It's not terrible but we usually keep the dive times reasonable

[divgirlsue]

Mike,

You might check into Bell Island Mine. Steve Lewis would be a great resource for info on it.

Sue

[deepairmike]

mine lamontt in missouri was a lead mine in the civil war and ran into the 50's there are miles of tunnel old wooden wheelbarrows and ore carts. Doug Rourex nows the place and history very well.