Underwater Towns

[DanStanton]

Hi All,
Anyone aware of any resources for locating towns that have been abandoned and flooded by man made lakes?
Any leads to DanStantonHFWV@aol.com would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!

[markfm]

Quabbin Reservoir, Central Mass. Multiple towns. I don't know if diving is permitted there.

[nazgul810]

Whiskeytown Resivor, Northern CA. I know that there's supposed to be a town there but I've never heard exactly where it is. There is a old cement structure there that I have dove in 90 ft of water.

[lord1234]

Diving in the Quabbin reservoir is NOT permitted... In fact it is a good way to go to prison for attempted terrorism.

[mike_s]

Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky. Town flooded by lake created with Dam.

Marthas Quarry, outside Nashville Tenn. Not really a town, but a quarry rock crusher operation that had admin/crew buildings with crushers, conveyor belts, in the quarry. Apparantly they struck water and it filled up to quick to remove the equipment. You can now dive and swim through the buildings and equipment.

[Kosonen]

Old Jyndabyne Township.
New South Wales.
Australia.

Flooded by the Jyndabyne Dam Project mid 1900's.

Boasts many rock and brick buildings but the best is the Ford truck still in the garage.

[Brian1968]

Hi All,
Anyone aware of any resources for locating towns that have been abandoned and flooded by man made lakes?
Any leads to DanStantonHFWV@aol.com would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!

Lake Minnewanka, Alberta Canada

There is a flooded town well out in the lake (need a boat). As well there there are the flooded remains of the dam which flooded the town and some other structures that can be dove from the shore. The place has been intentionally flooded at least twice.

[scubanick]

lake murray south carolina

built a dam to power (SCE&G south carolina electric and gas)
bought out like lots and lots of land
still railroad down there
cemetary and such, and a b-25 bomber
there was 3 more i beleive the rest were removed long ago

[JustinW]

Northern California has lots of lakes with flooded towns. Whiskeytown has one, but its at 200 feet, oroville has the old town sunk and Folsom lake has the old salmon falls bridge that is submerged right now, and when the lake is low is sometimes partially exposed. Usually there isn't much to see with these old towns, just foundations, maybe badly crumbled walls.

Welcome to the board, if you fill out your profile with your location etc. we can help you better.

[J75]

Round Valley Reservoir in North Jersey. At the deepest point, around 160' I think, a few old buildings and houses remain.

J.

[Epinephelus]

Irma, Alabama; bottom of Lake Martin.
E

[artw]

St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, Ontario - the towns Mille Roches, Moulinette, Wales, Dickinson’s Landing, Farran’s Point, and Aultsville were all flooded when the hydro dam was built in 1958
Numerous dive sites were created :D

[PhotoTJ]

Diving in the Quabbin reservoir is NOT permitted... In fact it is a good way to go to prison for attempted terrorism.

Seems a bit extreme. What, are they worried you'll pee in their drinking water?

"Son, we're charging you with criminal tresspass, and unlawful urination."

"But your Honor, it was really cold, and..."

"Send him to GITMO!"

[Maya]

Bull Shoals Lake in northern Arkansas, created when the White River was dammed, I think.

[Firebrand]

Seems a bit extreme. What, are they worried you'll pee in their drinking water?

"Son, we're charging you with criminal tresspass, and unlawful urination."

"But your Honor, it was really cold, and..."

"Send him to GITMO!"
The easiest way to inflict mass casualties without detonating a bomb is to contaminate a community's drinking water. There are toxins that are so potent that even when they're filtered down to 2 to 3 parts per BILLION (PPB) they still cause cancer, tissue damage, or whatever the intended effect is. If you don't think that's worth protecting our reservoirs, then maybe you should do a little more research on bio-toxins and chemical and biological warefare. I for one support keeping the reservoirs safe, even if it means no diving!!!

[The Kraken]

Don't want to get way off thread, but there are much, much easier ways to contaminate a reservoir than doing it via a scuba dive.

Simply fly over the reservior and drop a cannister from an aircraft.

:offtopic:

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming . . .

[Puck]

Don't want to get way off thread, but there are much, much easier ways to contaminate a reservoir than doing it via a scuba dive.

Simply fly over the reservior and drop a cannister from an aircraft.

:offtopic:

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming . . .

Doesn't Lake Lanier have a town underneath it. I thought the AJC did a photo spread if it in the late 90's when I lived in Dacula (pre diving days, but I thought it was cool). I could have sworn that they had old photos of buildings and then some maps to where they would be underwater.

I know thurmond lake on the SC border flooded a town or two.

I would guess the Army Corps have information on their website.

[The Kraken]

No town per se, but several small communities. I've heard of the existence of a movie theater with the marquee still in place with a movie name on it, but I've never found it.

Urban legends . . . not unlike the man-eating sized catfish that "divers have seen".

[reefraff]

Lots of little hamlets were submerged by various TVA projects - check with them or with local dive clubs in the area for some locations.

As to those legendary man-eating catfish, would something like this qualify? :11:

[Firebrand]

No town per se, but several small communities. I've heard of the existence of a movie theater with the marquee still in place with a movie name on it, but I've never found it.

Urban legends . . . not unlike the man-eating sized catfish that "divers have seen".
You're exactly right, but I don't want to risk some scuba-trained terrorists putting anything at the entrance to the pipes where the water is collected from the reservoir. I believe another scuba diving website had the "Top Ten Signs There is a Terrorist in your OW Class" or something like that. One of them went something like this, "When I get the bomb to the target...er, I mean, when I reach my NDL..."

As far as submerged towns, maybe a trip to China after the Three Gorges Dam is completed is in order. Over one million people are expected to be transplanted, and several temples will be submerged. I'm not sure if China will authorize scuba diving in their created lake, though.

[TheDavil]

Somewhere in the dim, dank recesses of my brain I seem to have a memory that there are/were Native American settlements at the bottom of Lake Powell on the AZ/UT border. Powell's low enough now that you could probably wade out to them...

David

[The Kraken]

Hey, Reef, I'll bet you a pound of pig $h!t to a pound of boubloons that they sure as heck didn't catch that little feller on a cane pole . . .

[Randy43068]

The easiest way to inflict mass casualties without detonating a bomb is to contaminate a community's drinking water. There are toxins that are so potent that even when they're filtered down to 2 to 3 parts per BILLION (PPB) they still cause cancer, tissue damage, or whatever the intended effect is. If you don't think that's worth protecting our reservoirs, then maybe you should do a little more research on bio-toxins and chemical and biological warefare. I for one support keeping the reservoirs safe, even if it means no diving!!!

I've read about it, it will take a pretty good size tanker full of most of the stuff to ruin a lake supplying drinking water. At least that's what the EMA folks tell us.

[reefraff]

Hey, Reef, I'll bet you a pound of pig $h!t to a pound of boubloons that they sure as heck didn't catch that little feller on a cane pole . . .One can only hope they weren't noodlin, either!

[The Kraken]

Ya noodle that sucker up and you draw back a nub !!!!

[Cobra852]

Urban legends . . . not unlike the man-eating sized catfish that "divers have seen".


Your kidding right :11:

[Henry]

Hi All,
Anyone aware of any resources for locating towns that have been abandoned and flooded by man made lakes?
Any leads to DanStantonHFWV@aol.com would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!

A friend of mine who is working in the China as a dive instructor right now just dove at The Gorge. She visited a site that was an old temple. Max depth was about 90 feet and abosolutely stunning. I am getting more details on it so I can go. But there are significant logostic issues such as getting the right contact in Beijin, hiring the boat and captain, she was only able to get fills up to 1,400 PSI and it was dirty air.

A brief qoute from a news agency "From start to finish, the project will cost up to $29 billion. More than one million people will be relocated.

When the towering 1.2-mile wide wall is complete, in 2009, it will be used for the metamorphosis of one of China's most scenic and most pristine landscapes.

The result will be a 370-mile-long lake that will consume 19 counties, 153 towns, 4,500 villages, and the scenic canyons that have inspired poets and painters for centuries."

Almost 5,000 dive sites, many of which are of historical value. Cool or what!?! I think this beats out any of the other flooded dives menntioned.

Henry

[Azza]

A friend of mine who is working in the China as a dive instructor right now just dove at The Gorge. She visited a site that was an old temple. Max depth was about 90 feet and abosolutely stunning. I am getting more details on it so I can go. But there are significant logostic issues such as getting the right contact in Beijin, hiring the boat and captain, she was only able to get fills up to 1,400 PSI and it was dirty air.

A brief qoute from a news agency "From start to finish, the project will cost up to $29 billion. More than one million people will be relocated.

When the towering 1.2-mile wide wall is complete, in 2009, it will be used for the metamorphosis of one of China's most scenic and most pristine landscapes.

The result will be a 370-mile-long lake that will consume 19 counties, 153 towns, 4,500 villages, and the scenic canyons that have inspired poets and painters for centuries."

Almost 5,000 dive sites, many of which are of historical value. Cool or what!?! I think this beats out any of the other flooded dives menntioned.

Henry

Oh what a dream. Imagine living next door to that! I could justify diving every day instead of every second day.

[Firediver]

Mactequac Lake New Brunswick. Upper Mill Ville Many homes flooded with construction of the Dam. In the Head pond you can find the remains of a forest, and further up river, you can find the remains of houses, foundations, and more. Diving and Finding it all is hit or miss.

[crisis_12]

I have heard the “old-timers” say that there are buildings under the reservoir at the Conowingo Dam in Maryland. I have yet to meet any local divers that have tried to find the site, but most have “heard of this guy who dove in the old town…”

I Googled it and found:

"1928 - Conowingo Dam began commercial operation. By harnessing the power of the Susquehanna River they produced electricity. As the last of the big gates closed to collect the water behind the dam, spectators watched as the water formed a 9000 acre lake, spreading across land and over rooftops of a village of 30 – 40 buildings called Conowingo. The village remained submerged forever."

[ssra30]

I vaguely recalled Cromwell, South Island New Zealand was going to be flooded after they built a dam near there. I visited the town about 20 odd years ago before it supposed to go under.

[NCSU_Diver]

lake murray south carolina

built a dam to power (SCE&G south carolina electric and gas)
bought out like lots and lots of land
still railroad down there
cemetary and such, and a b-25 bomber
there was 3 more i beleive the rest were removed long ago


I have a friend that lives on the lake there. I know for sure that there was a cemetary that was flooded and that there are still several grave stones left behind because families would not come move them. They recently drained the lake and it is just about full again. Not sure if there are any charters out there to dive those things but I wouldn't mind checking them out. I am sure the cemetary would be a very "unique" dive.

Breath Easy!

[scubanick]

yea they drained the lake while building a new back up dam
its now up to 3 foot below full
me and my brother and 2 more fellow divers went like 3 weeks ago
and dove off the little "beach" area near the dam
ive dove around the lake about 4 different times
neat but aint much to see unless u find those certain spots (cemetary and railroad and such)

[rfman]

Im looking for some pics of underwater towns or buildings. Any help ?

[jrs_diesel]

Greers Ferry lake in Arkansas. Used to be Little Red River until the mid 60's when the dam was built. 3 towns that I know of for sure under that lake, but I think there are 2 others for a total of five.

[Creed]

If you are in the midwest, you could always check out Table Rock Lake.

http://www.dtmag.com/dive-usa/TableRockLakeMO.html


When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flooded the valley upstream from Table Rock Dam, they submerged the small town of Oasis, Missouri. Like a modern, midwestern Atlantis, the town still sits under about 100 feet (30 m) of water. Advanced divers can float down Main Street to the town's small wooden church, which, although deteriorating after nearly 40 years underwater, offers wreck diving of a different order.

[bremen66]

if you are ever in las vegas there was a town called overton that was flooded out some years ago when lake mead behind the hoover dam filled, though with the recent water shortages i dont know whether it is a scuba destination or a hiking locale

[willydiver]

Lake Burton in north Georgia has the little town of Burton under it's waters along with several roads and a bridge that peeks out when they drop the water level. We tried to find some of the structures but only came across a few piles of bricks. That is some cold water!

Lake Jocassee in South Carolina has several structures in it. A local dive shop there routinely takes people out to dive an old powerhouse that is submerged.

WD

[Henryville]

(Really a reservoir, obviously) in New Milford, CT holds at least one small community (Jerusalem) and any number of sites with structure. An iron bridge across a former river is a popular site. A buddy and I dropped right into a barn foundation last fall at another site, there were harnesses, wagon springs, a jar full of shoing nails sitting on a foundation wall, it was cool but shallow and low vis.

[Tassie_Rohan]

Lion City in Eastern China.

An old-style city with a round city wall that was flooded in the 50's. The date of the flooding preserved some relics that were otherwise destroyed in above ground cities during the cultural revolution. Around 95% of the city remains unexplored - apparently there’s a church in there somewhere as well. The exploration aspect of it is what makes it such a great dive.

Talk to steven@sinoscuba.com for more details. The diving is cold and can be very low vis: so its not for everyone. I'm hoping to do two more trips there this year.

Cheers,
Rohan.

[willydiver]

(Really a reservoir, obviously) in New Milford, CT holds at least one small community (Jerusalem) and any number of sites with structure. An iron bridge across a former river is a popular site. A buddy and I dropped right into a barn foundation last fall at another site, there were harnesses, wagon springs, a jar full of shoing nails sitting on a foundation wall, it was cool but shallow and low vis.

Now that's cool! Didn't find an anvil too did you? Great story.

WD

[lizardqueen]

Sounds like an amazing dive, and one you need special connections + knowledge to get in on. I'll be going there sometime in the next couple of years & would love it if you'd email me about how you get this set up, and how your trip goes.



A friend of mine who is working in the China as a dive instructor right now just dove at The Gorge. She visited a site that was an old temple. Max depth was about 90 feet and abosolutely stunning. I am getting more details on it so I can go. But there are significant logostic issues such as getting the right contact in Beijin, hiring the boat and captain, she was only able to get fills up to 1,400 PSI and it was dirty air.

A brief qoute from a news agency "From start to finish, the project will cost up to $29 billion. More than one million people will be relocated.

When the towering 1.2-mile wide wall is complete, in 2009, it will be used for the metamorphosis of one of China's most scenic and most pristine landscapes.

The result will be a 370-mile-long lake that will consume 19 counties, 153 towns, 4,500 villages, and the scenic canyons that have inspired poets and painters for centuries."

Almost 5,000 dive sites, many of which are of historical value. Cool or what!?! I think this beats out any of the other flooded dives menntioned.

Henry

[rexy1979]

like in my other post, there is one in eastern ontario near Calabogie, here is a site with a little more info.

http://www.magma.ca/~rgwood/sites.html

[TwoTanks]

Lots of little hamlets were submerged by various TVA projects - check with them or with local dive clubs in the area for some locations.

As to those legendary man-eating catfish, would something like this qualify? :11:

If that doesn't I think this will:

Fish whopper: 646 pounds a freshwater record

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8404622/?GT1=6657

[WellBelowH2O]

Even though it looks like an underwater city and is certainly a problem with the image on Google Maps, my first thought when I saw it was "check that out...how cool would that be to dive it?"

Link to secret underwater city ;) (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=kansas+city,+ks&ll=39.459543,-94.529800&spn=0.028049,0.039343&t=k&hl=en)

North of Kansas City.. not sure what the problem with the image is though.

[SeaHound]

Mangla Dam in Pakistan. A whole village was eaten by the lake that formed after its contruction. Became a big political issue. I have never dived that place though.

[jimmac]

Anyone get wind of any good underwater cities in NC. Or any good lakes or rivers. I'm just getting into river diving and have my spots in the Lumber river but am looking to try some other places.

[trevordog]

I have worked at Round Valley and can assure you there are no structures left. The army corps of engineer's leveled everything before it was flooded. Still a cool place to dive, but no town.

[DTB1981]

Has any one heard of Yonaguni it is an underwater city off one of the southern Okinawan islands A diver found it in 1996 when he was looking for hammerhead sharks.

Here is a link http://www.toriitraining.com/yonaguni.htm

[diverrick]

Lake berryessa had the town of Montecello, but I think it was all razed before being inundated. The old stone bridge is divable though, and at sever drought times, you can walk to it. Like they said, usually just foundations. Boca Resevoiur also had the town of Boca. Located just behind the dam from what I have been told. Still rements visable below the dam on the dry side of the dam.

[jkatchmer]

Hi All,
Anyone aware of any resources for locating towns that have been abandoned and flooded by man made lakes?
Any leads to DanStantonHFWV@aol.com would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!


Lake Walapapack in Pennsylvania. Has a town at the north in. You can actually penetrate the chuch. It has been a few years since I was there.

[ozone]

I am trying to follow-up with information on diving some of the underwater towns in the TN, KY area. I once found an interesting note from Offroaddiver. Can anyone point me in a direction to locates maps and access material to plan a dive trip, plese?

Just interested in something a little different.

[Jocasseegirl]

Hi All,
Anyone aware of any resources for locating towns that have been abandoned and flooded by man made lakes?
Any leads to DanStantonHFWV@aol.com would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!

You might take a look at Lake Jocassee, SC (of Deliverance fame). Jocassee really wasn't a town, per se, but it has some interesting relics of the past lurking in the deep: Camp Jocassee for Girls, a steel bridge, cemetery, Attakulla Lodge. Divers are just beginning exploration of Attakulla Lodge and hope to locate other items of interest, as well. It's 300-320 feet deep in these areas, but I hope to put some great video on my website soon. I'm just learning to dive, but I have friends who are tri-mix. Debbie

[Diver_81]

Hi All,
Anyone aware of any resources for locating towns that have been abandoned and flooded by man made lakes?
Any leads to DanStantonHFWV@aol.com would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!!
I do know of a few in Table Rock Lake. You can swim down main street in to the church. The white snake river was flooded 60 years ago, but it is cold dark water and a little flow. The town is at about 100 ft.

[mushymom]

No town per se, but several small communities. I've heard of the existence of a movie theater with the marquee still in place with a movie name on it, but I've never found it.

Urban legends . . . not unlike the man-eating sized catfish that "divers have seen".

LOL.... ok, Yes they grow em big in some areas. Had a couple pals that were on the state police search and rescue dive team. Apparently some lakes here in NM grow some purty biguns. Some of the guys say they won't dive in certain lakes if they can help it as the fish are bigger than they are. :sofa:

[mushymom]

Somewhere in the dim, dank recesses of my brain I seem to have a memory that there are/were Native American settlements at the bottom of Lake Powell on the AZ/UT border. Powell's low enough now that you could probably wade out to them...

David


Yes I also have heard that out here in the SW. There are supposed to be cliff dwellings there also you can dive to. Most are un-mapped as Lake Powell flooded alot of canyons. :wink:

[cfdfirediver]

I`m told that The Great Sacandaga Reservoir, in Upstate NY, has several small towns in it. According to the history of the dam there is also a steel and concrete bridge that is around 70 ft. I`ve also been told there are several covered bridges and a train engine. I`m trying to obtain info but haven`t found anyone who has dove there.

[Firebrand]

like in my other post, there is one in eastern ontario near Calabogie, here is a site with a little more info.

http://www.magma.ca/~rgwood/sites.html
That's not the lake right outside the Clabogie Lodge is it? I went OVER that lake on a snowmobile the week before Christmas in '95!

[av8er23]

Irma, Alabama; bottom of Lake Martin.
E


Exactly where is this located I go to lake martin all the time.

[dbovee]

In regards to the Conowingo Dam, does anyone know if it is legal to dive there? I only live about 30 min away and would love to check it out, but have no idea if civillians are allowed to (not sure, but I believe the military dives there occasionally).

[FyrFytr]

[QUOTE=mike_s]Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky. Town flooded by lake created with Dam. [QUOTE]

Where is this at, friend of mine wants to go boating down there this summer and we never thought of taking gear with us

[mike_s]

[QUOTE=mike_s]Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky. Town flooded by lake created with Dam. [QUOTE]

Where is this at, friend of mine wants to go boating down there this summer and we never thought of taking gear with us



see these URL's.

(seach Scubaboard or google for more info)

http://www.willowgrove.com/diveshop.html

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/op/DAL/rec/maps.htm

[rfranks1658]

This is an interesting thread. I started research last year on Pickwick Lake area on the TN river. At first I was interested in old paddle wheelers and have gotten some information to use this spring/summer to scout out. But as a side note, I found out that the town of Riverton was flooded and there is an old canal/gate system there also. The town is on the river maps, and is located north MS area about where TN river enters TN again south of Savannah TN. Going to be interesting to see if one can find anything diving these sites, Anybody else with TN river locations?

[richieg]

According to my buddy, there's a submergered town at the base of the dam in lake travis, outside austin, tx. He said it was 200 feet down. He keeps trying to get me to go, but I have to keep reminding him that he may be a rescue diver, but I only have 4 certified dives. Maybe next season.

[Jscubadive]

In Norris Lake there is the town of Loyston also in Watagua Lake here in TN there is suppose to be the town of Butler if I am not mistaken.

[GoldFever]

Where I live the Resivor has 6 Towns in it. West Hurley, NY The deepest one is 587 feet deep. There is a video that they sell at the historian office on the towns.

[drbill]

Just wait for global warming to take full effect and there will be a number of them along coastal areas!

[bob1dp]

If you are into submerged cities, diving, and horror you might enjoy the book “Beneath Still Waters” by Matthew J. Costello. It’s pretty scary in a Stephen King sort of way. A reporter diver shooting a photo essay of a submerged town discovers it is haunted. The book was made into a film which just came out on DVD this week. The movie is pretty bad the book is pretty good.

[ClevelandDiver]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070418/lf_afp/australiadroughttown_070418152048

Sometimes they resurface.............

[ROCKY_ONE]

Lake Jocassee in Salem, SC. Its the valley that was flooded in the movie Deliverance. There is a girls lodge at 325', cemetary at 130', stone bridge, church foundation or two and supposed to be a pickup truck somewhere. There is also a dive shop on Jocassee Rd going to the lake (www.offthewalldiving.com). You can get a lot of information on the lake, charters, etc.

[Jocasseegirl]

Lake Jocassee in Salem, SC. Its the valley that was flooded in the movie Deliverance. There is a girls lodge at 325', cemetary at 130', stone bridge, church foundation or two and supposed to be a pickup truck somewhere. There is also a dive shop on Jocassee Rd going to the lake (www.offthewalldiving.com). You can get a lot of information on the lake, charters, etc.

Please check out my website for info on Jocassee. My family is from Jocassee, so I can tell you just about anything you want to know. ;)

[Charles R]

Milerton Lake outside Fresno, Ca has a town submerged every once and a while the lake gets low enough the church steeple will be above water

[2ndjetty]

hey charles. do you have any more info on diving Milerton Lake? I live in LA and this perked my interest as a weekend excursion. thanks

[gonphishing]

lake almanor in plumas county calif has a underwater town. I have never dove it but a friend of mine found a lot of china plates and saucers. I lived up there for about 7 years. most of the town was moved to chester and canyon dam. good luck!! it about 5000 elevation.

[glenkerr]

Lake Minnewanka, Alberta Canada

There is a flooded town well out in the lake (need a boat). As well there there are the flooded remains of the dam which flooded the town and some other structures that can be dove from the shore. The place has been intentionally flooded at least twice.
good evening. I just my first dives at minnewanka and am keen to see the old town site ( we did the old dam and piles ). I can't seem to find out the exact location other than 197 m offshore and wondering if there's a more desciptive text?

thanks
Glen

[Puffer Fish]

Panama... the towns flooded by ... well the canal.. also an entire train system.. including buildings...Train is still sitting on the tracks.

[Mr. Bubble]

Lake Jocasee in South Carolina. It was flooded after the movie Deliverance was made in the '70's. The church, graveyard and other buildings are still divable, at 140ft +.

[Hawkwood]

good evening. I just my first dives at minnewanka and am keen to see the old town site ( we did the old dam and piles ). I can't seem to find out the exact location other than 197 m offshore and wondering if there's a more desciptive text?

thanks
Glen

You can have a look here:

http://parcscanada.pch.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/natcul/Dive_e.pdf

You could also pick up a copy of Bill Hall's diving guide book "Southern Alberta Diving". It should be available in most dive shops around here.