Fenlon Falls

[DiveCoordinator]

I have always wanted to dive in Fenlon Falls. I understand that diving is prohibited when the locks are open from the May 24 weekend through Thanksgiving.

1. Am I correct on the dive time restrictions?
2. Can anyone give me dive details?
a. Entry points
b. What to look for
c. Other recommendations
d. Neat Stuff

If the dive restrictions are over for the season, if anyone happens to be planning on diving in Fenlon, I would love to go along.

[Axeman]

I have driven through there on my way to Bobcaygeon many times and would also like info on diving there.


probably lots of lost items there.

[cavanhills]

The diving in Fenelon is great – plenty to see there. I’m not aware of any restriction placed on diving there during the summer months – you may want to check into it though. Shore diving is pretty well the only way to dive it. Finding a suitable shore access point is no problem at the falls but can be tricky if you want to get access further downstream where the submerged railway cars are. I think Clifton (?) Street on the north side of the river dead-ends near the channel. You can walk to shore from there, just be prepared for a steep walk. Another option is to ask a landowner for permission. Some of the highlights of a dive at Fenelon include:
1) At least 3 submerged railway cars
2) A giant steel culvert large enough to swim through with no problem.
3) Interesting geological features including lots of small caverns in the sides of the cliffs where fish hang out. In one spot we found a 5 foot diameter hole travelling vertically through a rock and into a small cavern which a diver could then swim out of.
4) 3 automobiles pushed off a large cliff and lying upside on the bottom.

The river gets deeper the further downstream you go. The railcars are in about 60 ft of water. At this depth you definitely need a light. The cars and culvert are a little further upstream in about 30 feet of water, visibility is good. You’ll need to do multiple dives here to see and find everything mentioned above.

Mark

[simcoediver]

Wow I did not realize that Fenalon Falls had some really interesting diving! Is the current strong enough to require a downstream pickup point?

[Warren_L]

Definitely sounds interesting. I too never realized there was some interesting diving to be had there. Would be worthwhile learning more on this, definitely.

[Axeman]

does anyone know where I can get surveys of the lakes up in that region.

There are a few lakes that I would like to dive in but I am unfamiliar with the depths etc.

[NavyDoll]

Hey Axeman...

Can't believe there is someone else on this site that has heard of both Port Dover & Bobcaygeon... and been to Bobcaygeon!! Thanks for your response to my post about "my new drysuit".. in the exposure suit subject area!!

Exactly what type of Nautical Survey info are you looking for... Have you tried Canadian Hydrographic Services...

http://www.charts.gc.ca/chs/en

They sell Nautical Charts... go to the "Nautical Charts & Products link... then you can look up the Region you are interested in.. they also have a list of places that sell them.. so I'm sure you'll be able to find somewhere close to where you live!! From what I can tell.. all charts are $20.00 (plus applicable taxes :P ) unless otherwise indicated...

hope this helps..
NavyDoll

:scuba:

[Axeman]

thanks for the info.

yeah, I live in port dover and work in brampton.

and I do a lot of offroading in bobcaygeon..... and like hey... the hip song is worth the visit... I have been up to bob about 6 times this year for camping and jeeping... I would love to also do some diving in the lake where we camp. it is supposed to be in the 150-200' range..... I am mostly interested in diving in the 60-80' that I have been told is near the camp site.

ne ways... thanks

[mddolson]

We dive Fenlon Falls at least once a year.
We take small zodiac down stream from the locks to an orange plastic slide on the south side. (about 1/4 mile by boat) .
Directly under the cedar tree infront of the slide is a rail car.
Rail car is at 45-50 feet

There is a cool cave(short really just deep hole in the wall) at 35 feet. Bottom at 65 feet. There are some interesting wall formations on both sides of the canal.
Bring lights , it's black water.

PS the Trent Severn water way closed Wednesday this week.

Mike D

[DiveCoordinator]

Hey Mark, Hi Mike,

Thanks for that great information.

Guys - Are you planning on doing a dive in Fenlon any time soon? I am DMing a Basic OW this weekend in Kingston, but aside from that I am available most times during the week or weekends.

Ian

[mddolson]

Sorry we did it alreday this season.
The locals are headiing up to Burleigh Falls/Love sick Lake
Saturday morning.(hwy 28)

Me , I'm painting the rec room

Mike

[mddolson]

Axemand , you commented.........."it is supposed to be in the 150-200' range..... "

Where are you refering to?
To the best of my knowledge there ain't no such place near Bobcaygeon!

Mike D

[Axeman]

Picard lake has some spots in it that are supposed to be around 200 feet.

That is what I have been told by locals.

it is about 1/2 way between bobcaygeon and buckhorn. off of the 507

[wetman]

I hope thats not like the 130 feet we heard about in the quary at havelock. I think we topped out at 19 feet that day.

steve

[amobeus]

Hi

If interested you can try to find the Fenlon Falls train car that is just located down from the falls about 1/2 mile, it sits in about 65 feet of water laying against the wall at the bottom. There are two out cropping cliffs you will need to dive over to reach the bottom. I dove this about four years ago and the train car is sitting up against the wall and this is a pitch black scarry dive.


Amobeus

[simcoediver]

Being interested in the historical aspect of what I dive how did these Train cars get there? Was there a bridge that they tumbled off or where they just dumped there?

[cavanhills]

I asked an old-timer in the town of Fenelon if he knew, his response was that some kids had let the brakes off the cars and somehow they ended up in the river. Another individual told me there was a bridge crossing the river and it collapsed while the train was passing over it - I don't think I believe this theory given there is no steam engine present.

[Tom R]

Can you get to these from shore easily? Might be worth taken some video of.

Tom

[mddolson]

The one rail car we dive on is about 1/4 mile down stream from the locks. The area around it is all private property.

You'll need lights , it's black tanin stained water.

Contact: John Van de Broek at TAM Dive Peterborough
He has a 17 ft zodiac

or

Steve Houghton, (Wetman) he can put you on it as well.

Mike D

[wetman]

Ya Tom, come on up to our neck of the woods and see what the dark stuff is like! :)

Theres a wreck in cameron lake which i think is near by that as well. Anyone done that yet?

steve

[Tom R]

I'm in

Tom

[cavanhills]

Never dove the wreck in Cameron Lake, not aware of anyone who has either. I caught wind that some sort of old lumbering vessel was recently discovered near Bobcaygeon...I'll be checking it out sometime during the next couple of weeks - hopefully we'll have something else to dive on up here.

Mark

[brussellsprouts]

Right on, I'm glad to see that there are quite a few inquiries about diving at Fenelon Falls. My cousin and I have a cottage just a few minutes away from there, and we're looking into diving it either this coming weekend or the following weekend...anyone know where the sunken train cars are located, exactly? We're hoping to do a shore dive to them, and would welcome others who want to join. I think we'll be leaving the cave diving for another time. I look forward to hearing from anyone who is interested!

Cheers.

[amobeus]

Hello


Just one question, isn't there some type of train car to see down river from the falls. I heard this train car is in about 40 feet of pitch black water and there are two ledges you need to go over to get to the bottom.


Thanks

Amobeus

[wetman]

ok. so where do you put a boat in? i have to go somewhere nearby this weekend and it might as well be there. mike, you up for sunday morning? I'll take pics and post them if theres anything worth while there. There isnt much left from what i've been told but we'll see.

steve

[amobeus]

Hi

To get to the train you are going to have to search for a launch area for your boat, if you follow some of the roads going south of Fenlon falls you can find a few areas. The train is located directly under the house that has the water slide on the deck and a tree that is growing outwards out over the water were you can tie off. I'm not sure if the water slide is still there but the tree is.

Good luck

[mddolson]

Yes the cedar tree infront of the orange slide, on the south side of the canal, just east of the power lines (cross canal).
It's still there.

You may also notice the Osprey nest on the top of the double power poles.

Steve per our phone conversation.
I am up for dive.
Needs to be close and quick Sunday morning. I have to back at the shop by 2:00 pm for a diving class.
Calle me Saturday pm

Miked

[mddolson]

There is a private boach launch nearby at a cottage resort.
You have to ask permission.
They are usually ok since the season is over.
The next nearest public boat launch is on the far side of Sturgeon Lake at Pleasant Point. It's about a 20 minute boat ride.

MikeD

[amobeus]

Hi

Let us know how your dive went, I sure would like to see a photo of that train car skeleton.

Amobeus

[DiveCoordinator]

Hi Guys,

You are more than welcome to join us in the Fenlon Falls Adventure. This will be my first dive in Fenlon and am looking forward to it.

I am guessing that we will be in Felon about 10ish at the wichwood resort. From there we will take the info I have been told about and try and put a working plan into action.

To get to the wichwood resort, you head into Fenlon from Hwy #35 and turn just prior to the Tim Hortons.

Sorry I can't be more specific. Glad to see you if you can make it.

Ian

[seahunter]

I have dived the 'train' in Fenelon Falls since I started diving in 1958. I have a picture of myself in dive gear at Fenelon Falls that is photo dated 1965. The picture is on the wall at the store and apparently posted on a web site too.
Many divers hear about the train and picture a steam engine or a box car. In reality there are 2 sets of train bogey wheels in about 50' feet of water on the south side of the channel below the hydro lines that cross the channel and just before the bend that takes the channel south to Cameron Lake. That's it!

There used to be 3 cars in the channel below the falls too until WC used them as an advanced course exercise and floated them all down to the old air station downstream from the 'train'. Last I saw them they were still there - a pink Caddy, a blue Valiant and a white Chev.

Fenelon Falls was once the hot spot for divers and it wasn't uncommon to see 100 divers there on any summer weekend.

There is a wreck in Sturgeon Lake off the Pleasant Point road.
I have dived many, many times in Cameron (mostly near Long Beach) but don't know of any wreck there. It would be hard to find in shallow, weedy water.

[dreid]

Seahunter: Any more directions/details on the wreck in Sturgeon lake?

[seahunter]

Take Pleasant Point Road to the lake. Just before the end the road runs west (left turn) along the lakeshore. Go along there about 200 yards. On the right side (lake side) there is a very small park with a sign. The park is named after or dedicated to a women (I forget the name - something like Mary Kettles or whatever). The property opposite the park (on the left side of the road) used to be a small motel or cottages-for-rent.

All this may have changed in 40 years but in that part of the country it's amazing how things stay the same. I'm quite certain the little park is there though. There's certain to be a sign.

The 'wreck' is in about 10-15 feet of water directly out from the park toward the west (left) side. That is, enter the water near the west edge of the park and swim slightly left into the lake. It is not far out. I'd guess at maybe 40-50yards max.

I was only 13 or 14 years old when I was scuba diving on it and I remember being quite excited when I 'found' it.
I don't know - it may be small and uninteresting or it could be a great find!!