Monroe Dive Center - Quarry (MI)

[cldwdiver]

http://www.divemonroe.com/

An FYI to the group. It says the quarry is open for diving.
I have not been there yet, so I have no knowledge of what they have to see.

If you do a search here on SB, there were a couple of threads on this place from last year, when they were working on getting the quarry open.

I will have to check this place out after my trip to the Manitou Islands this weekend.

[Mitten Diver]

I know a guy who has done some work getting this thing ready. I have asked him to post information on the board about the quarry. I know a little but will have Bruce post with accurate information.

[GRTLKSDIVER]

I talked to him on the phone the other day...
He is very geeked and very accomidating, our club is going down to check it out soon.
He did ask that we give him a call before comming down.
the number is...734-457-3483 or
e-mail @ scuba1925@hotmail.com

$10.00 per diver
$25.00 per diver for quarry boat dives.

[diver_paula]

Monroe Quarry

www.divemonroe.com

Scuba rights owned and managed by:

Steve and Brandin McGuire @

Monroe Dive Center
5955 W. Dunbar Rd.
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 457-3483
Store hours: Tues to Friday: noon – 7pm, Saturday noon-5pm
info@divemonroe.com
brad_422@hotmail.com

The quarry is open weekends but they are happy to open whenever.

$10 per diver for shore diving.
$25 per diver for boat dives.

In Michigan, take Exit 11 on I-75 onto LaPlaisance Road. Head West until you see it - about 2 miles. You’ll cross two sets of RR tracks.

No on site fill station but they will load up a truck and transport tanks to and from their shop ~ 5 minutes down the road.

Instructors / divemaster dive free when with students.

Porta-johns available by 4th of July.

Quarry: 156 acres
70 to 75 ft to the bottom
3 underwater buildings at that depth
2 underwater buildings are shallower
140’ sump hole
1500 Cessna w/ Lear nose and cockpit
4 boats: 12’, 24’, 25’, 26’ (lengths)
Training platforms
2 walk in entries and a boat ramp

$25 Boat dive = pontoon ride to
3 buildings
Crusher pit
Sump
Underwater plateau @ 25’ depth (would be an island if less water in quarry)
Plateau top is ~ 90’ x 100’
Depth of sides go to 60 or 70 feet & make good wall dives.
Much of the planted fish hang out there.
(Cannot bring own boat)

No on site camping but there is a campground down the road 5 to 7 minutes.

[diver_paula]

Since the previous post a couple friends have dove in Monroe Quarry. They went on the 4th of July.

From their perspective:
Both a thermocline and vis change about 15'.
Another a few feet deeper.
Above 15' vis was maybe 40'.
Below 15' vis was 20' or so.

They would not recommend diving the day after a heavy rain / storm. (Unless you want to practice low vis navigation!) Said this may change when the work being done on the quarry comes to an end but at this point the quarry silts up pretty badly.

Given it's location they'll dive Monroe it can't be beat when you need to get in the water.

Paula

[Reggae Joe]

This'll be a welcome addition to the Ohio/Michigan sites, especially for those who want to venture past the Portage/White Star/Gilboa scene...definitely looking forward to more news about this place!

[cldwdiver]

Hey Paula (or anyone),

Are the Saturday store hours (Noon-5pm) the only time the Quarry is open?

I do not see any times posted for wjen the Quarry is actually open on Weekends.

[diver_paula]

I just re-checked the website and the link for Quarry hours wasn't working.

However, my impression in talking to one of the owners a few weeks ago was that they don't have hours set in stone. This is only because they are new enough that there isn't a steady stream of divers. As business picks up they will formalize hours. For now, as their store is so close, they'll open up whenever someone wants to dive.

Paula

[cldwdiver]

Thanks Paula,

I decided early tonight to find out directly from them and have emailed them about the operating hours. I will post back here when they reply to me.

[Reggae Joe]

Looking forward to hear what they say!