This should prove to be an interesting season at Lock 23. COVID-19 aside, let me first review the current state of spring river conditions. Recall that Morrisburg's Lock 23 sits in the middle of "Lake St. Lawrence", the 1959 body of water between Cornwall and Iroquois created when dams were constructed at either end. The …
Author: SJSchnurr
Record Low Waters!
As of January 1st, and with the end of the season for freighter travel, the International River Board has decided to dramatically increase outflow from Lake Ontario in an effort to further reduce water levels there. They will do so until ice formation prevents it. In our Lake St. Lawrence region (between Iroquois and Cornwall …
The HE Plant Route: Best for Novices
Over the years we've guided novice divers through Lock 23 in a number of different spots and have generally concluded that the easiest is the innermost route leading to and through the remains of the Hydroelectric Plant. This route is best for novices for several reasons: It has no current to cross over during the …
Arrival Landmarks at the Locks
I've completed (well, almost... there are a few tidbits to add) my 3D model of Lock 23. Here's a top view. And here's a front view. The point of this post is to let you know where the heck you are when you arrive at your first barrier at the end of the long approach …
Lock 23 Skill Reviews
As many divers are aware, we host Lock 23 dives every Wednesday evening during the summer, and because we know the routes so well, we welcome divers of all levels of experience to join us. Each week I write a review of the dive, drawing attention to issues that come up. It provides a great …
July 8 Dive at Lock 23
Larry and I dove the lock this week - as a fairweather river diver, I've been waiting patiently for at least 15C/60F before venturing in. This week the locks sat at about 18C/65F, comfortable in a 7mm wetsuit, hood for me (but Larry went without), and light gloves (we wear brightly coloured garden gloves). The …
June 12 Dive at Lock 23
This evening, 3 senior divers went in to assess Lock 23 for me... with the following news. Water temp 13C/56F. They wore 7mm wetsuits and were a bit chilled at the end (they're all pretty big guys). Total dive time 45 minutes - relatively speedy. Current strong, but not as bad as expected. Depth at …
June 2 Conditions at Lock 23
Spring is slowly moving forward. Water temperature today is 13C/56F, a slow start. Last year I was in the water (in my wet suit) on June 10: temp was 15C/59F. It might yet get there. The river is high. Higher than it's been for a while. Here is my photo gauge - from now on …
May 2019 Conditions at Lock 23
It's early May. Still chilly water averaging 8C/46F. Hardy dry-suiters have been in but I like to wait until the river hits 15C/60F (or close). Weeds are at their lowest point of the year - not much of a factor until at least mid-June, so chilly or not, it's an excellent time to see a …
More Weight is Better in Current: Ummmm… Nope.
Reprinted from 11 July 2018 - weekly dive debriefing. Those of you who have been diving with me over the years know that one of my least favourite statements is, "It's better to be heavy than worry about weight... and especially in current". Nope... wrong. It's worse. Heavy divers work too hard, can't maneuver properly, …
Continue reading More Weight is Better in Current: Ummmm… Nope.
