240+ feet deep at Fortune Pond

[@eddiechip]

When I was a teen, my grandparents lived there. I remember an awesome rope swing back in the SW corner. No pier or anything, just an open pit mine filled with water an nobody around.

[@nathanhegg5633]

still there just dont tell the dnr

[@KaitlenSokel]

My family and I love your videos!!!

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

Hi Kaitlen, thanks so much for letting me know. Brett

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

That was an awesome dive

[@danceworld8360]

Someone's been playing with action men down there 🤣

[@CurtBowenADM]

Any idea on the water oxygen levels below the sulfide layer

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

Hi Curt, I don't have much experience with sulfide layers. I dove a place called Duck Creek Quarry near Green Bay, WI and there was a distinct layer that tasted of sulfur and my metal gear (lead weights and brass clips) turned slightly darker. Some type of chemical reaction. That layer was only a couple feet thick. The no-viz layer at fortune pond is 30+ feet thick and there was no sulfur taste. Next time I'll have to look closer to see if there are quagga mussels below that layer. I have no idea what the oxygen level is on the bottom but it would be interesting to find out. Maybe next time I'll grab a sample. :-)

[@CurtBowenADM]

I thought it strange with the H2S layer? Normally the layer is trapped between two layers of different water salinity as in fresh and salt? Maybe since its an old mine there could be heavier water trapped on the bottom? The oxygen levels below the layer would be interesting. H2S has a chemical reaction with metals quickly turning brass more brown. Interesting, water samples just above and below would definitely show some type of change.

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

Yes, I think you're right about the heavier water trapped on the bottom. Every fall when the quarry water flips, visibility above 60' deep goes from 80+ feet of visibility to less than 20' of viz. I think the heavier water on the bottom just sits there all year long. If I find an easy way to measure oxygen in water, I'll grab some samples and test it out. :-)

[@CurtBowenADM]

Find someone with a YSI 6000.

[@SwilleeBMo]

Great video. Thank you posting. The last time I was at Fortune Pond, the deepest I got was 181’. May I ask what compass heading you took to hit the deeper wall?

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

We entered the water near the pier and went to the 80' deep area with the wooden platform on the east end of the quarry. From there we pretty much went due west (270 degrees). The 30' tannic layer makes it hard to stay with your buddy. We swam out about 100'-150' towards the center of the quarry and above the tannic layer. Then we dropped straight down. We got lucky and came right down on the wall. In the past we were out farther and ended up descending until we hit the bottom at 245'. Good luck and dive safe. :-)

[@SwilleeBMo]

@@bretthalderson-scubalog709 Thank you very much for the reply. We always dive safe. Be safe yourself and have fun.

[@iamkazie9401]

@@bretthalderson-scubalog709 my cousin used to own property there in the early 80s he sold it back to the state by the mid 90s I can remember that water as cold and crystal clear

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

@@iamkazie9401 You're definitely right...visibility is great and it always seems to be chilly.

[@iamkazie9401]

@@bretthalderson-scubalog709 AWESOME video just a little note on this area my cousin used to own property there in the early 80s to late 90s from right where you pull in the driveway and around the lake at that time it was called bristol mine the locals used to have a diving board right where that new big pier is he took it down but they kept coming back he finally sold it to the state

[@marckid93]

Is there anything even living in the lake?

[@luckycharm1]

I was saying the same thing. Didnt see a single fish. More action figures than fish.

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

There isn't a lot to look at. At one point there were more objects placed around 80' deep for people to look at but someone in charge must have decided they weren't approved, so most of it was pulled out. The big draw to Fortune Pond is that it has incredible visibility. You are able to see 80'+ underwater. I would love to see a couple old wooden boats dropped in this quarry (approved by the Parks Dept.).

[@bsfatboy]

Very interesting, but does it sound like that while your diving or is the that just the camera? Sounds like my teeth grinding.

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

Yah...that's the camera. The microphone is pretty sensitive. Some of the noise is my hand shifting on the grip of the housing and the housing bouncing against my gear. I'll probably try to minimize that noise in future videos. Thx :-)

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Why would anyone dive in a quarry...I don't get it?

[@bensmith4563]

Because it's cool

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Quarry diving is awesome. It’s kinda like why some people go to the zoo and some go to the desert. I like it because no current other that what feeds it. Can really work on technique and trim as well

[@jonnieinbangkok]

@@ivoryjohnson4662 Whatever floats your BCD 😉

[@king_cj]

Looks like a deep underwater dessert

[@bretthalderson-scubalog709]

You are definitely right. There isn't a whole lot to see. Plus, the cold water at depth makes all the rising bubbles sound a bit tinny on my ears. But, we wanted to check it out because some people were asking how deep it was and what it looked like down there. Thanks for checking out the video.