Hi
I was diving at Raccoon Creek State Park (near Pittsburgh) 2-3 weeks ago.
The (shallow) 2/3rds of the lake near the beach was iced over. We dove the deep section (25ft) on the dam side (which had no ice). Water temp was 39degF. Viz was about 2ft near the perimeter of the lake, and around 4-5ft near the center of the lake.
The maps on the state park website about buried items was wrong. We found items that were not on the map, and items on the map we could not find (granted viz was limited). The primary item you will find are different types of wood cribs designed for fish habitats.
To dive there the park office sent us a form to fill out with their rules and send back with a copy of our c-cards. They signed the form which is valid for the entire calendar year (ie all of 2018 for us). When you get to the park you need to check in at the park office, and then we just called the office on the way out.
Here is what they sent me for their rules:
Skin diving - only mask, fins and snorkel is not permitted.
Scuba diving - self-contained under-water breathing apparatus is permitted on the lake EXCEPT within 100 feet of the beach area from mid-May to late-September; within 300 feet of the spillway, dam and the dam control tower; the boat launch cove and any other area designated as off limits due to weather, special events etc.
Dive flag must be shown at all times
No diving at night
No diving under ice
All divers must be certified
No diving alone
No spear guns or bang sticks/No underwater fishing
No removal of historical or archaeological artifacts
No underwater cave diving
The Department does not accept any responsibility for the diver's safety, diver's equipment or any hazardous conditions the diver may encounter.
You must notify the park office prior to diving