Grad program has me trapped inland: Ideas for lake diving?

[InfamousFD]

I am am stuck in the middle of Upstate (read: Middle of Nowhere) New York for the summer.

HELP. Anyone got tips on identifying good bodies of water to dive, or for getting permission of land owners?? I've never had to fight to dive before. The guy at the counter of the local dive shop primarily does trips way North to the St. Lawrence Seaway, and didn't know freediving was a thing.

If I travel south for a few hours I can reach a flooded Quarry stocked with koi and old vehicles (Dutch Springs: One of their selling points is viewing Zebra Mussles. Hrmm. Dutch Springs - Aquatic Life)

There's GOT to be other quarries, or the occasional clear body of water--but where do I start in finding them? I couldn't even find a Lymnologist who is a current diver in the area. The nearest lake Biologist hasn't been underwater in a decade or two.

In my county it's actually illegal to wear a mask into any publicly owned body of water, so I can't dive the biggest and deepest lakes around. I even tried applying for a permit, and they were confused and said I could only get a permit to "snorkel in the lake for training purposes, such as with the Boy Scouts for a merit badge program."

HELP.

 

[Apneaddict]

Ohio has the Gilboa quarry and a great guy on here might be able to safety you...

Also, consider coming up to Toronto, as we have stuff going on every mon-thurs and the odd weekend too!

 

[Tarzan3307]

I just started freediving this year with my roommate, but a veteran diver has been training my rommate and myself at Gilboa Quarry. GREAT place to dive! I scuba there as well. Visibility is great, stocked with plenty different species of fish (their most famous being the large paddlefish), and sunken plane, helicopter, boats, and school bus to swim through. I've only gone 70' there because it was my first time, but the deepest spot is just over 130'. If you are interested in meeting up there, let me know. We are planning a weekend trip there probably in August.

 

[Ms Mer]

In my county it's actually illegal to wear a mask into any publicly owned body of water, so I can't dive the biggest and deepest lakes around. I even tried applying for a permit, and they were confused and said I could only get a permit to "snorkel in the lake for training purposes, such as with the Boy Scouts for a merit badge program."

HELP.

Are you serious? Why is it illegal? Is there a fear that you might be some sort of homicidal mass murderer who might vent wrath on the fish or any other divers? That is one of the most bizarre laws I have ever heard of. So basically diving of any sort is illegal (or prevented by law) in your county? I can see that there would not be much cause for owning a dive store there! Also how can a dive store owner not know about the existence of freediving?? :duh

 

[Tarzan3307]

Do you know what the law is by definition? I mean, does it say you can't wear a mask? Maybe make yourself some fluid goggles and just sneak around the law.