Mystery Lake: Difference between revisions

From Dive Atlas
(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 -...")
 
(Add sonar survey)
Line 5: Line 5:
|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''' 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, inferior training conditions and increased depths.


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


=== History ===
=== History ===
Line 22: Line 25:
===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
-->
 
===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.
 
-->
There is ample parking at both sites.


==Do==
==Do==
Line 55: Line 55:
==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==


Line 75: Line 74:
==Nearby==
==Nearby==


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


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:37, 20 August 2023

Site Info
Type {{{type}}}
Coordinates "N78°20'37.2"W 35°47'13.4"N 78°20'37.2"W
Region Eastern US
Access via Shore
Depth range 10-100ft
Loading map...


[[Category:{{{type}}}]]


Mystery Lake 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, inferior training conditions and increased depths.

Details

Website

History

Mystery Lake was once a rock quarry.

Location

536 Old Quarry Rd
Wendell, NC 27591

Depth

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

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

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.

Facilities

  • 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

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.

There is ample parking at both sites.

Do

See

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

Life

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

Safety

Hazards

Equipment

Nearby

Fantasy Lake is located 13 miles away.

References