Mystery Lake: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "{{Divesite_infobox |coordinates=35°47'13.4"N 78°20'37.2"W |region=Eastern US |site_access_type=Shore |depth_range=10-100ft |Type=Lake}} '''Mystery Lake''' is a freshwater lake formed from a flooded quarry. It is located in the town of Wendell, NC in the United States. It is privately owned and ==Details== === History === Mystery Lake was once a rock quarry. ===Location=== 536 Old Quarry Rd Wendell, NC 27591 ===Depth=== <!-- Details on the site depth ranges -...")
 
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{{Divesite_infobox
{{Divesite_infobox
|coordinates=35°47'13.4"N 78°20'37.2"W
|coordinates=35.787056, -78.343667
|region=Eastern US
|region=Eastern US
|site_access_type=Shore
|site_access_type=Shore
|depth_range=10-100ft
|depth_range=10-100ft
|Type=Lake}}
|type=Lake}}
'''Mystery Lake''' is a freshwater lake formed from a flooded quarry. It is located in the town of Wendell, NC in the United States.
'''Mystery Lake'''<ref>https://diveintomystery.com/</ref> is a privately owned freshwater lake formed from a flooded quarry. It is located in the town of Wendell, NC in the United States.


It is privately owned and  
It is sometimes used for diver training. DAN, which maintains its global headquarters in Durham about 45 minutes away, conducts research here as well.
 
This site is much less frequently visited than nearby [[Fantasy Lake]], primarily due to its poor visibility, challenging training conditions, colder temperatures and increased depths.
[[File:Mystery Lake.jpg|alt=View of Mystery Lake from the southeast beach access|thumb|View of Mystery Lake from the southeast beach access]]


==Details==
==Details==
[https://diveintomystery.com/ Website]


=== History ===
=== History ===
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===Depth===
===Depth===


<!-- Details on the site depth ranges -->
Mystery Lake is a deep quarry. There is a shallow bank around the eastern half of the lake with depths between 15-20 ft. Elsewhere depths are typically in the 70-80ft range. The deepest point in the quarry is 100ft; there is a training platform at this location.


===Topography===
===Topography===
[[File:Mystery Lake sonar map.png|alt=2016 sonar survey of Mystery Lake showing depth contour lines|thumb|2016 sonar survey of Mystery Lake]]


<!-- Description of the layout, landmarks and geographical arrangement of the site -->
The bottom is silty. There are a variety of submerged features with lines running between most of them.
 
Aerators have been installed in an attempt to improve visibility and to eliminate the thermocline.


===Conditions===
===Conditions===


<!--
Visibility varies with depth but is typically in the 5-10ft range. Occasionally it may extend up to 30ft but this is rare. Visibility tends to be best in the 40-60ft range.
Description of typical or possible conditions;
* Weather & seas
* Visibility & conditions that could impact it
* currents etc
-->


Conditions are sporadically reported on the site's [https://www.facebook.com/mysterylakescuba/ Facebook page].
===Facilities===
===Facilities===


<!--
* One changing room at the southeastern beach entry
Amenities at the site, e.g. parking, showers, changing rooms, water & food, etc
* Two portable restrooms
-->
* Two covered awnings with picnic tables and gear benches, one at each access


==Access==
==Access==


<!--
The property is gated and access is restricted to holders of annual passes, which can be purchased from the owners. Passholders receive a gate code that may be used to access the site at any time. The owners reside on the property.
Parking if applicable, access methods, up to and including where and how to get in the water; entry and exit points, etc.
 
-->
For information on how to get a pass refer to the [https://diveintomystery.com/ website].
 
There is ample parking at both entry sites.


==Do==
==Do==
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==See==
==See==


<!-- Notable things to see on the dive. Include pictures if you can! -->
There are many submerged features in the quarry ranging from abandoned quarrying equipment to intentionally sunken vehicles. There are also two training platforms.


===Life===
===Life===


<!-- Description of life you may find at this site -->
A small population of freshwater paddlefish reside in the quarry. It is very rare to see them.
 
==Safety==
==Safety==


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==Nearby==
==Nearby==


<!-- Include cross links to other nearby sites, or a link to a region -->
[[Fantasy Lake]] is located 13 miles away.


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Dive sites]]
[[Category:Dive sites]]
{{IsPartOf|Piedmont}}

Latest revision as of 13:56, 19 June 2024

Site Info
Type Lake
Coordinates 35.787056, -78.343667
Region Eastern US
Access via Shore
Depth range 10-100ft
Loading map...


Mystery Lake[1] is a privately owned freshwater lake formed from a flooded quarry. It is located in the town of Wendell, NC in the United States.

It is sometimes used for diver training. DAN, which maintains its global headquarters in Durham about 45 minutes away, conducts research here as well.

This site is much less frequently visited than nearby Fantasy Lake, primarily due to its poor visibility, challenging training conditions, colder temperatures and increased depths.

View of Mystery Lake from the southeast beach access
View of Mystery Lake from the southeast beach access

Details[edit | edit source]

Website

History[edit | edit source]

Mystery Lake was once a rock quarry.

Location[edit | edit source]

536 Old Quarry Rd
Wendell, NC 27591

Depth[edit | edit source]

Mystery Lake is a deep quarry. There is a shallow bank around the eastern half of the lake with depths between 15-20 ft. Elsewhere depths are typically in the 70-80ft range. The deepest point in the quarry is 100ft; there is a training platform at this location.

Topography[edit | edit source]

2016 sonar survey of Mystery Lake showing depth contour lines
2016 sonar survey of Mystery Lake

The bottom is silty. There are a variety of submerged features with lines running between most of them.

Aerators have been installed in an attempt to improve visibility and to eliminate the thermocline.

Conditions[edit | edit source]

Visibility varies with depth but is typically in the 5-10ft range. Occasionally it may extend up to 30ft but this is rare. Visibility tends to be best in the 40-60ft range.

Conditions are sporadically reported on the site's Facebook page.

Facilities[edit | edit source]

  • One changing room at the southeastern beach entry
  • Two portable restrooms
  • Two covered awnings with picnic tables and gear benches, one at each access

Access[edit | edit source]

The property is gated and access is restricted to holders of annual passes, which can be purchased from the owners. Passholders receive a gate code that may be used to access the site at any time. The owners reside on the property.

For information on how to get a pass refer to the website.

There is ample parking at both entry sites.

Do[edit | edit source]

See[edit | edit source]

There are many submerged features in the quarry ranging from abandoned quarrying equipment to intentionally sunken vehicles. There are also two training platforms.

Life[edit | edit source]

A small population of freshwater paddlefish reside in the quarry. It is very rare to see them.

Safety[edit | edit source]

Hazards[edit | edit source]

Equipment[edit | edit source]

Nearby[edit | edit source]

Fantasy Lake is located 13 miles away.

References[edit | edit source]