Dive Stop

Missouri, USA Mid
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Unrated
Viz (last reported 120889h ago)
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Unknown

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Dive Stop

The Dive Stop is a commercial operation that features (generally) excellent visibility year round. Nearly all of the area around the quarry drains away from the lake, which minimizes visibility loss due to runoff. The quarry features several sunken 'toys' including a 32 ft. cabin cruiser, two trucks, 16 ft. open bow boat and a motorcycle along with several other items. There are two new docks, a newly installed beach, two training platforms, a picnic area, primitive camping and several canopied covered tables. Wildlife includes bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, turtles and a beaver. The vis usually ranges 15-25 feet at the surface, 20-25 feet at 20 feet, and deteriorates below the thermocline to 5-10 feet. The quarry is approximately 70 feet deep. The quarry owners have developed it into a commercial venture over the last two years, and all of the amenities are less than 2 years old at the time of this writing (Spring, 2009) and in excellent condition. Hours and pricing are available at the quarry's website, http://www.dive-stop.com The Dive Stop is a commercial dive quarry located at 3960 Highway Z New Melle, MO 63365. The quarry is located about 30 miles west of downtown St. Louis, just south of I-70. From St. Louis, drive west on I-70 until you get to Wentzville. The turnoff for Route Z is JUST past the I-70/Highway 61 (to Troy & Hannibal) cloverleaf... be in the right lane after the 61 North exit. The highway Z exit is less than 1/2 mile past the cloverleaf. When you exit, turn left (south) of the ramp and follow highway Z about 6 miles. The Dive Stop will be on the left (lots of flags and an office structure will be obvious... it is well marked).
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(2)
Jack G.
Jack G.
Feb 6, 2011, 12:00 AM
scuba
Great place, but unfortunately as of 2/5/2011, they are closed to the average SCUBA/Snorkeller. Only to be used for training (SCUBA and rescue). See their site at http://www.dive-stop.com and soon at http://www.tridentrescue.com/
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Ken Mitchell
Ken Mitchell
Apr 17, 2009, 12:00 AM
scuba
The quarry is basically as described (since I wrote the description, that isn't much of a stretch for me to say). Pros: Very close to St. Louis, owners actively developing the site, secluded, excellent vis (for a freshwater quarry). Good facilities that are improving almost daily. Cons: Not free (or even close to it), small (about 5 acres), in need of further development of underwater features. My personal take: this is a great spot to train and to get wet, very close to the St. Louis metro area and only an hour or so away from Columbia, Jeff City and Rolla. We bought a family year's membership there this year, dove it 5 times last year and plan on using it as our 'home' training site. It's not Mermet, but it's also local, has good vis and is wet. They are in the process of moving in a dive shop as this is written (April 2009) but that isn't done yet. Air is available on the site. They have a professional level compressor that looks clean and well maintained. I don't know if they are O2 compatible, but personally I would just bring air tanks and leave the Nitrox kit at home (with a max depth of 70 feet in the deep hole, you won't need it… most of the quarry is 30-40 ish anyway) Water temp and vis are available on their website, reported by the owners, and I have found it quite accurate.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
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