Lake Jocassee update

[rainmaker]

Anyone make it up there yesterday or today (6/6 or 6/7)?

I made several dives from the diver's ramp on Sunday, June 7. The lake is nearly full, only a foot or so down and still going up. The depth at the end of the ramp was 24 feet, the first platform was 32 feet and the second platform was 42 feet.

My maximum depth was 52 feet, and the water temp was 67 degrees (up 2 degrees from last week). I get wild swings on both my dive computers concerning the surface temp of the water; it felt like low/mid 70's.

Viz continues to be relatively poor at 6 - 8 feet, probably from all the rain. I saw a few small fish; nothing memorable.

Even though it was a hot, sunny Sunday, there were only 20 - 25 divers in the water, and that includes students.

 

[krawlings]

Thanks rainmaker for the update. I will be at the lake this weekend (6/13/09) I will keep you all updated with the condisions this weekend . Maybe I will see you all there Sat.

 

[diveprof]

Seven of us dove Sunday from the boat ramp. We got there early and had better vis. Vis on the ramp dropped a bit after the students got in (8' on the ramp and platforms after the students). We avoided that area for the most part. We had much better vis to the left of the ramp (beyond the bones family) and in the trees (80-100') with 20' + vis. Saw a few nice cats (one laying on a tree limb in the standing trees until it decided to scurry down the tree like a squirrel) and a few large bass - one of which stayed with us for about 5 minutes. Great day of diving and even better company.

 

[Miller]

I did a dive at Joccassee remote ramp last Sunday (7 June) .I was wondering what happen to the platform on the left side of the ramp. The frame work is there but no top deck. I always liked stopping there to recheck my setup. I had a good dive. Not to many fish.

 

[sandmanz32]

My buddy and I did a few short dives off of the ramp yesterday. The water was very nice. Temps around the 70's with a sharp thermocline around 25', then they dropped to around 60ish. vis was around 10'. I was having a hard time equalizing yesterday too. First dive I was wearing a hood and around 25' just couldn't take the pain anymore. Figured the hood might have something to do with it so we surfaced and I removed it. Second dive was a little better got down to around 50' (was trying to get to the forrest, but never quite made it), and the right ear was plugged and had to surface. I felt kinda of bad because my bud and I got paired up with this kid that was a new diver, and his mom wanted us to let him dive with us to rack up some numbers so he could get his resuce cert. He only had 20 dives but was fairly decent underwater. All and all it was a good day, sucks about my ears though, think i have an inner ear infection, gonna go see the doc today and find out.


The first platform was damaged in a storm last year when the lake levels got so low. At their lowest point the platform was about 5' under.

 

[Jocassee Junkee]

Hello everyone,

I went out with Off The Wall Charters yesterday (6/14/09). Bill was on the Cooper so Rocky captained the boat.The boat was crowded with 15 divers but we managed by being courteous and taking our time.It was a beautiful, calm day on the lake.We tied up at the Junk and the Wall.For the First dive I went down the line at the Junk on to the wall.My max depth was 146 feet.The Vis was awesum past 120 feet but it was a very cold 52 degrees.I was wearing a wetsuit while the others were diving dry.I came back up and played around the Junk where vis was ok but the water was warmer.Dive time was 43 minutes using an aluminum 100.I stayed on the boat for an hour surface interval and geared up. I did the second dive Solo to 111 feet.I cruised out the wall at 110 to 110 feet for the vis and eventually returned to the Junk and played around in the cove.With the lake now full and the Junk now at 63 feet I managed to hit a 6 minute DECO obligation but I had plenty of air so no big deal.I went back up the line and did a little hang time (DECO) and surfaced.Bottom time was 46 minutes.The lake is warming up to 60 feet but the VIS is starting to go with it.Vis past 100 feet is very good but the temps are cold.It was a nice day at the lake with a good group. I just love getting that Jocassee High (narced) every weekend.

 

[sandmanz32]

Hello everyone,

I just love getting that Jocassee High (narced) every weekend.

I'd have to agree with you there, though it has been a while since I've been able to go every weekend.:depressed:

 

[Jocassee Junkee]

Jocasse Udate for Saturday, June 20th:

I went out with Off the Wall Charters. Bill is in Bonaire with Kamala, so Trip Captained the boat. We had 10 divers including a couple from Hagerstown,Maryland (the husband was a techie).It was a beautiful but hot,sunny day. We tied off on the Junk and the Wall.

Dive 1:

I escorted the tech diver down the line at the back on the Junk.We were both diving air.He had a drysuit, I was chilly in my wetsuit.I turned the dive at 153 feet while he continued to 200.It was a cold 52 degrees on the Wall but the vis was outstanding--maybe 50 feet or more.He told me the bottom of the Wall was 175 feet now--about what I figured. Vis on the Junk was 20 feet or so with a temp of 60 degrees at 63 feet.Dive time was 40 minutes using an aluminum 100.

Dive 2:

Surface interval of 90 minutes. I did a solo dive and cruised the Wall at 100-119 feet.I went down the second line but I was cold and turned at 119 feet.Cruised out the wall at 100 feet or so and returned to Table Rock on top of the Wall--then played around the Junk,Flamingo's, etc. Vis was very good past 85 feet--nice cruising the Wall and just looking down.Dive time was 48 minutes using a 100.

Hopefully Bill can get the mooring line ready for the Cemetery when he returns--it must be 25 feet underwater now.I think it is about time to go visit with Doris down there.I just love that dive.

It was a great day on the lake with a good group of divers. Until next time---happy diving everyone.

 

[krawlings]

I was ther with Tony_webb on his boat .We where the ones you tied up next to We did 4 dives 3 off the Junk 1 over in the cove . The 3rd dive we where by the cove intrence to the rigt as you goin and came upon an anchor snagged in the guide lines . as we where observing the anchor it started jurking up and down , we started to hi tail it out of the area and the guide line shout up the the surface almost tangling us up in it and this hole thing churned up a lot of silt could not see 5 feet any derection.i have a real concern to boats setting anchors so close to the guide lines . It can be dangerous to the divers in the water , And it can damege the things that have been put there for our diving injoyment.
The water temps at 58 to 64 feet was 64 degrees on average through the day. We felt a bit of a curent down by the junk I couldn't hold in a stationary spot with out finniny , I drifted off . Something I had not noticed be for . A GREAD DAY OF DIVING

 

[Trixxie]

So the platform that is gone is the one off to the left of the ramp? The 2 off the end of the ramp are still there? what is the depth at the 1st platform at the end of the ramp and approx temp? thanks all for the updates.