Moulton Quarry

[LakeScubaDiver]

Here is something I wrote up for a basic set of information about the place last year. They don't have any "web pressence" yet. BTW... they won't open until June this year. They were also open last year until November.

Hope this helps. -Mike


Moulton Quarry:
The Moulton Quarry is operated by "The Dive Station", which will operate its store in the Center Star / Killen area of Alabama on Hwy 72. The quarry though is located about 5 miles west of Moulton off "Old Hwy 24". As of November 2005, their store hasn't opened yet. Check with operators at below contact info on when store will be open.

The Moulton Quarry is open again during the 2005 season for the first time in many years. It's a small to medium sized quarry that is about 3 acres in size and has two basic levels/depths. The upper quarry basin depth ranges from 15 feet to around 35 feet. The lower basin depth is around 50 feet to 65+ feet, depending on the water level. Visibility can change based on season and water conditions, but can easily reach 30-35 feet of visibility or greater. The quarry has two thermo-clines during the warmer months when surface temps reach into the 80's and just one thermo-cline during the cooler months. Bottom temps in the deeper end of the quarry never get much above the 50's though, even during the summer. With its shallow upper basin and great visibility, it is an excellent local open water training location. For those willing to get a little "chilly," the colder deeper basin has great diving to offer also. The people operating the quarry, Kevin and Tony, were also extremely helpful and very friendly.

Fees: $15 entry fee.
Air Fills: Air compressor, tank rentals, and partial pressure Nitrox mixing onsite. Bringing your own tanks is suggested though.
Rental Gear: Rental gear is available, but suggest calling first to verify in case they have a class, etc. using the available gear.
Water Temp: COLD. Two thermo-clines in the summer months and one in the spring/fall. Bottom temps in the 50's or below in lower basin.
Depths: 15 to 35 feet in the upper basin and 50 to 60 feet in the lower basin. Deepest point in quarry is 65-70 feet, depending on water level.
Items sunk: Two 20-25' sailboats, several ski boats, small dive training platforms, Greyhound type bus, large drainage pipes for swim thru's, a few large tanks/silos, etc. All items are marked with a floating buoy.
Facilities: One dock, sloped shore entry, a couple picnic tables under a small shed. Bathroom facilities are a chemical "porta-potty", but it was very clean.

According to the operators, 2006 plans include putting in a "sand beach" on the sloped entry into the water. (it's now gravel). If you need drinking water, it's suggested you take it with you.

Nearest "Full service Dive Shops" in area:
Dive Sports in Decatur, AL (approximately 27 miles away). http://www.divesports.com
SDI in Huntsville (approx 52 miles) http://www.sdiscuba.com (Note: SDI in Florence is closed)
Dive Station (when opened) in Killen, AL (approx 37 miles)

Directions:
GPS Coordinates: 34.453351, -87.383881

Google Maps Link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=moulton,+al&ll=34.453351,-87.383881&spn=0.044241,0.082436&t=h&hl=en

Operated by: The Dive Station
Kevin Behel kbmedic71@msn.com or 256-366-2570 and Anthony McGee at MCGEEA8@aol.com or 256-648-9147

Operation Times: April through October on Saturdays and Sundays (after 1pm). Other times/dates can be arranged. Suggest always calling beforehand to verify they are open the weekend you want to attend.

Directions: (From Moulton, AL)
1.) Take HWY 24 West from Moulton.
2.) Turn Left (South) on CR-121
3.) After 1 block, veer Right (West) on "Old AL-24"
4.) Turn Left (South) on CR-7. Look for sign for Moulton Rock Quarry (rock/gravel company sign, not "Dive" quarry sign).
5.) Go to end of CR-7 where rock/gravel company plant is located. Before entering plant, turn Right (West) on CR-102. There is no sign for CR-102, but it is the last road before you enter the gravel plant.
6.) Take CR-102 gravel road until you see a "rusted" cattle gate on your left. This is the entrance drive to the quarry. (There is no sign).
7.) Enter through gate and drive will take you to main parking area.

Thanks Mike! That is super detailed and I appreciate it. I will post that on our map on our site if you don't mind.

 

[mike_s]

you are welcome to post it. I wrote that up for some local folks back last fall, so it's kinda written from a 2005 standpoint. might want to update it some to reflect they won't open until the first weekend of June this year.

If you want, I'll write up something for the other quarries we've got around here.

 

[Flodiver]

Mike - you're so organized

 

[mike_s]

For some reason last year I had ton's of people asking me for directions to the place. I'd just email them that.

The Moulton Quarry folks need to get a webpage set up with directions, a few pics, contact info, etc. At the very least they need to put up a sign or a dive flag on the road so you can find it!

 

[Flodiver]

I agree - I was trying to get in touch with those guys a few weeks ago - I know WHERE it is and WHO runs it but still could not find my info on it to contact them.

I feel like with a little work they could get really busy really fast.

 

[LakeScubaDiver]

Mike,
Please email any and all dive site related info you want to share to contactus@lakediver.com and we will post it on our National dive locator map on our site. We have been getting some outstanding submissions recently and we are making a ton of additions to our database. We welcome write ups, directions (address), photos etc... Basically trying to have a central source on the web where people can go to find out cool places to dive, and if we get locations on there that have no web presence of their own, it is that much better. We basically want to be a one stop shop when it comes to finding places to dive all over the country. The reason we are doing this is because dive information is so hard to find sometimes, and me being in the miltary and being stationed all over, I run into that problem a lot. Thanks a million for the help and we will try and get things you submit posted in a timely fashion.

 

[LakeScubaDiver]

Anyone have any photos of Moutlon Quarry they don't mind sharing? Above or below water are fine. Thanks!

 

[mike_s]

I've got some above water pics... I'll dig them up. I think they are on my laptop.

 

[Flodiver]

Anyone been out here yet this year? Are they opening about now I wonder?

 

[skybird]

I was at Moulton both Saturday and Sunday. Didn't get to stay long on Sat. due to storm. The water is quite warm at the top. Didn't wear my wetsuit Saturday and was comfortable ( didn't go to bottom of deep) but decided to wear it Sunday because I was getting eaten by the very aggressive bream. They are working at getting some signs up. Their fees are $15 a day and $4 for air fills, OR $60 season pass and $3 for air fills.

And I ALMOST successfully finished the compass course. Maybe next week.

Sky