Quarry water visibility

[Kidder]

I have been looking to get permission to dive a local private quarry and even possibly buy one (after I save my pennies that is). Is there things you can do to affect visibility? I know that there is at least on quarry (in Kentucky I believe) that filters thier water. Most quarries have spoon bills, does this help or is it just because they are cool to look at? I know that the run off around the quarry is the biggest contributing factor, but was wanting to know your thoughts on it.

[underwaterdan]

Interesting thought - I would assume that not only runoff but algee growth in the quarry would contribute to visability. I guess it is possible to transplant some natural filter fish to do the filtering for you - maybe start off with barnicles - just a warning that will really mess with the natural eco system - if there is any...

[dmdoss]

Certain types of mussel's help. And there are several methods of creating filtering ponds off the quarry, but they require pumps.

[Kidder]

I was thinking about clams that are normally found in lakes around here. Think that that might be a good idea?

[underwaterdan]

Yeah it can't hurt - they are filter feeders - the more natural filtering the better. I am sure you can find some info on what filter feeder cycles the most water...

[Kidder]

Hey my buddy told me that there was a project in Missouri. Where a damn broke and they are now spraying the water to rid it of suspended silt.

http://ameren.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=92

[Mtrewyn]

I've done a few quary dives and about the best one I've been in had around 20 ft, any thing you try and do, I would think, is going to need corporate sponsership, that scale will need alot $$$$$ of funding, and even more time, Fish tanks take weeks, It might be better to travel to a clear lake.

[bversteegh]

Have the water tested - the ph of the water in a lot of quarries can be pretty alkaline or acidic, depending on the material mined from the quarry. The water color and clarity will be affected by what minerals are in suspension in the water. I doubt if you could possibly afford to clean up a quarry that doesn't have a pretty neutral ph - you would have to remove all the material leaching the chemicals.

However, you might be able to get government funding to clean up a site - you would be surprised what grant money is available if someone takes the initiative to ask for it. My brother is a county commissioner in Iowa, and they get all kinds of grants to restore wetlands and clean up old coal strip mines that are contaminating the ground water.

[Kidder]

The grant money sounds like a good idea. I know property owners that have gotten grants for timber stand improvement (cutting down trees that don't provide food for wild life). I bet there is money out there for a quarry.

[underwaterdan]

Free money is always good - not a bad way to go. Also you might want to look into cornel cooperative extension, they do a number of shell fish projects out where I live, maybe they would be willing to use the quary for some tests, win win...