Big Blue is a quarry located in Lester Milligan Park in Mason City Iowa. The quarry is on the South West side of town approximately 2 miles North of IA-27. There are several places to park for an easy shore entry.

The dive site is accessed by the stairs down to the small park area which includes a bench. Entry and Exit is via the small beach. Once you enter the water if you head southwest you can locate 4 intake pipes. The Southernmost one runs to the Tower. Divers can follow each of the 4 pipes for navigation.

The site is named for the hotel that once stood next door. The site has 3 water pipes that come from the shore. The first two meet at 60ft/18m of depth at the collector. The northern most also goes out to 60ft/18m. Dive Flag is required, and the entry can be tricky because of the rocky entry.

Old Iron Ore Quarry. Shallow end of 335’ depth at center. 5’-60’ going to over 150’ in places on the east end.large area limited to 40’ at 50F (40’), 80F (5’) July and Aug. Large Boat on east wall 25-30’ (45’ long), sherwood forest.

Search for Cottage Grove Rd in Baraboo to get to this site. There’s a small parking area to the left just before the road goes uphill. Lake entry is to the right. Back swim north to just past the fourth cabin where the water is about 13’. Continue the dive heading north, staying close to the rocks.

Go past the visitors center, and take an immediate right just past the railroad tracks. Stage at the far end of the last parking lot. Entry is over the railroad tracks and down the rock wall. Backswim south to about the 3rd telephone pole and descend into ~13’/4m of water.

Located at Schildberg Rock Quarry this private quarry has been a popular dive site with divers for over 20 years. The Rock Wall is one of two dive sites at this location. The Rock Wall runs along the south side of the quarry and starts in 6-8 feet of water and drops to 30-40 feet.

Located at Schildberg Rock Quarry this private quarry has been a popular dive site with divers for over 20 years. The “Kelp“ is fresh water grasses that grow from depths of ~20 feet/6m and are 5-15 feet tall. The site starts to the left of the entry road and follows the shore almost all the way to the north side.

Access the site via an access road at the intersection of Edgehill Drive and Edgehill Parkway. The city allows divers to open the gate and drive down to the boathouse just to unload/load gear, but you cannot leave your car down there during the dive. Find street parking along Edgehill Drive.

Pear Lake is located at 1220 Dearborn Ave Hwy 251 South Beloit, IL 61080. The quarry is a great place to do training dives and brush up on your scuba skills. The quarry is only available to Dive Shops and their divers so you’ll have to go there with a dive shop.