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TWO JACK LAKE
How to get there
As you approach Banff from Calgary on Highway #1 turn right after taking the first Banff/Lake Minnewanka exit. Turn right at the "T" intersection. Follow this road across a Texas gate to the first right hand turn. Here you will find a sign posted for Two Jack Lake. Turn here and follow the road for 6 km past Two Jack campsite and turn right at the lake sign. A parking area and washrooms are on the left. On the right is the day use area and straight ahead is the beach.Level
Novice and up.Conditions
There is a gradual slope out to a maximum depth of about 10 m. There is a pothole about 30 - 40 degrees from the left entry point. The lake has a coarse sand bottom with silt throughout. During the summer the visibility can be poor due to abundant green algae growth. The temperature at depth will be about 7°C.Life
Abundance of freshwater shrimp and many trout may be seen.Precautions
Always fly a flag. There are many submerged trees around the edges of the lake. Lots of fishing line in the water and row boats.Highlights
There is water and you can dive in it.BOW RIVER - ZOO HOLE
How to get there
Travel east on Memorial Drive from 4th St. N.E. Turn right on Bains Bridge (ie. to the Zoo). Or from 9th Ave. S.E. cross the Zoo bridge to a road that swings left. Way down the road you will be a parking lot on the south side of the road. Put your gear on in the parking lot and walk down to the back eddy to enter the water. Enter the river near the start of the eddy to make sure you don't get swept down the river and miss the hole. Exit by swimming north and allowing the eddy to take you back near the entry point.Level
Advanced with fast water & river experience.Conditions
The bottom is flat with an oblong depression running opposite the eddy dwon to the zoo bridge. The bottom is gravel and mud with some large rocks. There can be a strong easterly current depending on th time of year. The maximum depth is about 10 m. and visibility will be from 3 to 8 m.Life
Trout and burbot are quite plentiful.Precautions
Strong currents, fishing line and a great deal of submerge junk.Highlights
You may find lots of stuff to collect on this dive such as bikes, fishing rods and other assorted stuff that has been thrown in the river.PRINCESS ISLAND HOLE
How to get there
From downtown Calgary to north of 8th St. S.W. until you arrive at the Bow River just west of the heliport. Park in the lot by the emergency boat launch. Dive from the boat launch site. Swim on the surface to the island directly out from the boat launch. The hole is on the downstream side of the island. Exit by swimming south to the river bank.Level
Advanced with fast water & river experience.Conditions
The bottom is flat with an oblong depression running east of the island. The bottom is gravel and mud with silt. There can be a strong easterly current depending on th time of year. The maximum depth is about 10 m. and visibility will be from 3 to 8 m.Life
Trout and burbot will be seen.Precautions
Strong current and fishing line as well and submerged junk. River boats may be present.Highlights
This is a good site for collecting junk as many items get stuck in the hole.SYLVAN LAKE
How to get there
From the junction of Highway #11 and Highway #2 travel west to the town of Sylvan Lake and take the first right after the town (Rustic Drive). Follow Rustic Drive to Grand Avenue and continue until the road ends. Parking is restrictd to the side by a garbage can with a dive flag painted on it. Follow the trail and the end of the road through the trees to the lake. A rope is useful to enter the water because of the steep bank.Level
Novice and up.Conditions
There is a sandy bottom with a gentle slope out to about 10 m. Water temperature is about 10°C in the summer.Life
Perch, pike, whitefish and lots of minnows.Precautions
This is one of the busiest lakes in Alberta. There are lots of boats and skiers. Fly a flag but remember many boaters will be ignorant of what it means.Highlights
An old boat, swing set, oil derrick and other assorted junk are placed around the bottom.THE BAY ON MIDDLE WATERTON LAKE
How to get there
As you enter the park and drive along Middle Waterton Lake you will see a parking lot and boat launch before you reach the Prince of Wales Hotel. Park in the gravel lot beside the dock.You can enter the lake along the western shore, the southern shore, or the boat launch. If there is a lot of boat traffice it is best to stay clear of the lauch. There is a gravel beach running north and south of the boat launch and access here is quite easy; however, you will have a long swim to the dump.
Level
Novice and up; however, you should be prepared for poor visibility.Conditions
The bottom slopes to a maximum depth of about 18 m. and the bottom is very silty with collections of deadfall in spots. Stay off the bottom! The water temperature will be between 3 and 15°C (at the end of the summer). On windy days the visibility may be 1.5 m. or less up to a maximum of 7 m. on calm days. At the dump itself the depth will be about 5 m.Life
Occassional trough, burbot and suckers.Precautions
The main hazard is poor visibility. Stay off the bottom and watch for deadfall.Highlights
This area was used as a dump site by the hotel during the 1930's and 40's. Pockets of garbage can still be found. Remember it is illegal to remove anything from a provincial park.EMERALD BAY - THE WRECK OF THE GERTRUDE
How to get there
As you drive along the side of Middle Waterton Lake you will pass a tourist information booth on your right and the Prince of Wales Hotel on your left. Take the next left onto the road running parallel to the highway and follow it down to the picnic area. There is parking in front of the camp kitchen. A grassy area leads down to the rocky beach.Enter the water in direct line with the water tap (fountain) near the beach and swim straight out until you see the bottom drop off quickly. Dive to about 8 m. (25 ft.), turn right and follow the drop line and you will swim right to the paddle wheeler.
Level
A great site for divers of all experience levels.Conditions
The bottom drops off gradually to a maximum depth of about 18 m. The bottom is very silty so avoid it. Water temperature will be between 3 and 15°C and visibility will depend on the wind (between 1.5 and 7 m). Emerald Bay has a bowl-shaped contour and a maximum depth of about 22 m.Life
Around the wreck you can see trout, burbot and suckers.Precautions
Tour boats operate on the opposite side of the bay. Stay out of the channel. Fly a dive flag!Highlights
The Wreck of the Gertrude lies in Emerald Bay and is one of the best dive spots in southern Alberta. The Gertrude is one of the few wrecks in Alberta. Careful buoyancy control is necessary when moving around the wreck to prevent damage to the structure. Remember it is illegal to remove anything from the wreck.Cameron Bay
How to get there
Follow the road towards the town of Waterton and as you enter the town you will see the Kilmorey Lodge on your left. Continue straight through this intersection and follow the road past Cameron Falls. Drive past the walk-in tenting area down to the turn-around. Here you will find a small picnic area with a camp kitchen. Park in the posted areas. Walk down to the shore from the camp kitchen and follow the shore until you get to the rock cliffs. Enter the rock shore running perpendicular to the cliffs.Level
Intermediate to advanced divers.Conditions
The altitude at Cameron Lake is about 1300 m (4200 ft). The bottom drops off very quickly to a depth of over 40 m (120 ft). The bottom is very silty with little to see...consider this a wall dive. The water temperature will be between 3 and 15°C depending on season and depth. Visibility can be as much as 10 m. The maximum depth here exceeds 40 m but there is little to see that deep. Going to 25 m (70 ft) will allow you to see interesting rock formations without jeepardizing safety.Life
A variety of fish inhabit this lake.Precautions
Make certain to fly a flag. When there is a wind the surface conditions can be quite wavy. There also is boat traffic.Highlights
Although the underwater habitat has been removed, construction on a rock wall at about 10 m has begun. If you feel constructive add you own piece of dive history. This is a great dive as wall dives go. Also a very nice night dive at the mouth of the creek.Cameron Lake
How to get there
When heading toward the town of Waterton from the park gates take the first right turn after the tourist information centre. This road leads to Camerson Lake. Park in the parking lot and take your equipment down to the dock. Enter the water either from the shore or from the dock.Level
Novice and up.Conditions
The altitude at Cameron Lake is about 1800 m (6000 ft). The bottom slopes out gradually to a maximum depth of about 12 m. The bottom is very silty and covered with alot of deadfall. The water temperature is only about 5°C as this is a glacier fed lake. visibility is up to 8 m.Life
A variety of fish inhabit this lake.Precautions
Make certain to fly a flag. Row boats and canoes are common on this lake (there are no power boats) and there is lots of fishing line in the water. Carry a knife. Be on the lookout for lost fishing lures. Note the altitude for this lake.Highlights
Very cold dive. Dry suit or a thick layer of blubber recommended.Lake Minnewanka: Dam Site
How to get there:
When going to Banff on the Trans Canada (highway #1) take the first Banff/Lake Minnewanka exit and turn right. Turn right at the T intersection and follow this road over a cattle crossing grate. If you continue straight, past the sign for Two Jack Lake, you will end up in the the parking lot and boat launch area. Take the turn to the right, after the Texas gate and follow the road past the Two Jack Lake campground and after 14 km you will come to the Lake Minnewanka Dam site. The best entry is on the right side of the dam on the Two Jack Lake road although there is a very steep and rocky climb down to the water!Level:
This is advanced dive.Conditions:
There is a gradual slope down from the dam to a mud bottom with an old gravel road. The water temperature is cool as with all of the mountain lakes, 4°C to 6°C. The visibility is greatly reduced when there are lots of divers in the water but can be up to 30 feet.The top of the dam is about 50 feet deep and the bottom is about 90 feet. Visibility can be up to 30 feet.
Life:
Lots of trout and whitefish and a few weeds.Precautions:
This is an altitude dive! Be aware of boaters and always fly the flag. You should only attempt a wreck dive such as this with the proper training.Highlights:
There is an old dam (Devil's Canyon) that runs parallel with the new dam about 150 feet from the shore. By lining yourself up with the post marked #12 on the shore you should be able to find the old wheel house of the dam building.Lake Minnewanka: Cliffs
How to get there:
When going to Banff on the Trans Canada (highway #1) take the first Banff/Lake Minnewanka exit and turn right. Turn right at the T intersection and follow this road over a cattle crossing grate. If you continue straight, past the sign for Two Jack Lake, you will end up in the the parking lot and boat launch area. Follow the road past the marina to the gate near the concession, unload and park your car. Carry your gear down the road past the concession to the point, turn left and go down to the bay.Level:
This is a good novice dive.Conditions:
There is a very steep drop along rock cliffs to the muddy bottom at about 60 feet. There is good visibility of up to 30 feet in the cold water!Life:
There are usually lots of trout around the rocks.Precautions:
Watch out for discarded fishing line and lures. There are always power boats on the lake so always fly the flag.
Highlights:
Cool cliffs and rock formations. Lake Minnewanka: River Inlet
How to get there:
When going to Banff on the Trans Canada (highway #1) take the first Banff/Lake Minnewanka exit and turn right. Turn right at the T intersection and follow this road over a cattle crossing grate. If you continue straight, past the sign for Two Jack Lake, you will end up in the the parking lot and boat launch area. From the boat lauch you can launch a small boat (the channel is narrow) and go East on the lake around the point on the left to the mouth of the river. Follow the river right up to the waterfall and enter.Level:
Experience is required in current dives so this should be considered an dive!Conditions:
There are very steep walls leading to a flat bottom with lots of crevices and overhangs. The bottom is composed of loose shale and water smoothed rocks. There is a very strong current here so divers are cautioned! The current can be used to drift dive down the channel. Temperatures vary but as with the other mountain lakes, this one is cool (4°C to 6°C)Life:
There are usually lots of trout around the rocks.Precautions:
There are always power boats on the lake so fly the flag.Highlights:
The abundance of fish and neat rock formations make this dive interesting.Lake Minnewanka: Landing
How to get there:
When going to Banff on the Trans Canada (highway #1) take the first Banff/Lake Minnewanka exit and turn right. Turn right at the T intersection and follow this road over a cattle crossing grate. If you continue straight, past the sign for Two Jack Lake, you will end up in the the parking lot and boat launch area. Take the turn to the right, after the Texas gate and follow the road past the Two Jack Lake campground and after 14 km you will come to the Lake Minnewanka Dam site. This is a boat dive.Level:
An advanced dive due to the cold water and the depth, also because of the need for a boat entry and retrieval.Conditions:
There is a gradual slope to a sandy bottom at about 50 feet. Cool temperatures, 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. There are lots of old tree stumps because of the dam.Life:
There are usually lots of Lake and Rainbow trout in and around the rocks.Precautions:
There are always power boats on the lake so fly the flag.Highlights:
There are old wooden trestles and pilings that lead to the old townsite. Use the bearings on the map to help find these structures.W.A. Switzer Provincial Park
There are two good places to dive in the park. Follow the links below for each lake.
How to get there:
Jarvis Lake is in W.A. Switzer Provincial Park which lies Northwest of Hinton and can be reached by going to Hinton on highway #16 and then west to the juncion of highway 40. The park is about 50 minutes North on highway 40.Emerson Lake is East of the park. It can be reached by going to the park and then going East on the Welwood haul road through a campsite run by Welwood of Canada.
There are many camp sites in and around the area. Lots of places to go fishing, biking, hiking, etc. The nearest hospital is in Hinton (865-3333).
Emerson Lake
Level:
This is a novice dive.Conditions:
Emerson has a very silty bottom with a gradual slope to an unknown maximum depth. The visibility is fairly good.Life:
Some trout and suckers. Very little vegetation.Precautions:
Power boats are permitted on this lake - ALWAYS FLY A FLAG!Highlights:
There is a fish habitat project, sponsered by Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation and is maintained by the Hinton Scuba Club. It lies in about 30 feet of water near the beach entry.Jarvis Lake
Level:
Another novice dive.Conditions:
A nice sandy beach entry. The bottom is very silty and slopes gently to a maximum depth of about 50 feet. The visibility is low due to algae growth.Life:
Very little life, some trout and weed growth.Precautions:
Watch out for power boats! ALWAYS FLY A FLAG!Lake Annette
How to get there:
The road towards Lake Annette meets highway #16 about 2 km East of the townsite of Jasper, cross the bridge and take the first right turn. Follow the road (and signs) up the hill and take the first turn to the left. The road in to the lake is a narrow one that winds in toward the shore. There are two areas to dive from: the paved parking area and a day use area. The first area you will come to is the paved parking area where there is a wood dock that is a good spot to suit up on.Level:
This is a good novice level dive site, chosen by dive operators for open water certfication dives.Conditions:
There is a very gradual slope from the dock, down to depths of 50 - 60 feet. The visibility is very good and the water is quite cool (no problem for Alberta divers!). The bottom is fairly weedy. The shallower areas are very rocky. Altitude is approximately 3500 feet.Life:
Lots of suckers! Some trout. The occasional hiker: watch where you change...Precautions:
There usually is a canoe or two on the lake, fishing or sight seeing.Highlights:
The main lake is bowl shaped with cool fresh water coral along the edges. There are many weed beds at the bottom. Previous divers have built pyramids of rocks near the point to your left, standing on the dock, in about 35 feet of water. They serve well as habitat for the fish.Lake Edith
How to get there:
The road towards Lake Edith meets highway #16 about 2 km East of the townsite of Jasper, cross the bridge and take the first right turn. Follow the road (and signs) up the hill and take the first turn to the left. The road in to the lake is a narrow one that winds in toward the shore of Lake Annette and then to Lake Edith. Lake Edith will be on your left. Keep going past the first parking area until you come to the day use area that has a nice beach area to dive from.Level:
Another good novice dive site.Conditions:
The bottom is very silty and slopes gradually to a maximum depth of about 30 feet. There is good visibility year round and the water can be very cool, about 4 to 10 degrees Celsius. This lake has an altitude of about 3500 feet.Life:
There is not very much vegetation here and consequently very few fish. Fresh water coral can be found in shallower water.Precautions:
Pleasure boaters (canoes and row boats) will often be seen on the lakeHighlights:
There is an underwater plaque noting the first Jasper Aquathon and River Race.Lac Beauvert
How to get there:
Go East from the Avalanche Esso gas station (big "E" on the map), across the train tracks, across the highway (#16) and take the first left turn at the sign for Lac Beauvert. Follow the road down, across the Old Fort Point Bridge, into the parking lot. Watch for joggers!Level:
Another good novice site.Conditions:
A very rocky entry from the parking lot. The bottom drops of very steeply from the parking lot to a maximum depth of about 80 feet. The water can be very cold (due to underwater vents spewing forth 4 degree Celsius water from Medecine Lake. The visibility varies with conditions but can be very good. The bottom is very silty and stirs up easily. The elevation of the lake is about 3500 feet.Life:
Hardly any fish, although I have heard of people seeing large trout in the shallower water.Precautions:
Lots of canoes and row boats.Highlights:
The Japer Park Lodge overlooks the lake, straight ahead from the parking area. The golf course on the Eastern side of the lake provides a constant source of golf balls for watchful divers to recover. Look out for the underwater volcanoes that spew out cold water.Lake Patricia
How to get there:
This one is for dedicated divers only!To get to the lake go to the far back side of the town site of Jasper, West, and find the pyramid lake road almost across from the swimming pool. Follow this road up the hill, watch for bears and trail riders! The Lake you want is the first one you see on your left. If you follow the curve around you will come to a pull out that has a plaque dedicated to Project Habakuk (see below). The plaque will give you more details than I will! Parking is in short supply.
To get to the site of the sunken ice barge you have two choices: walk around the lake to the left past the Patricia Bungalows (bring lots of willing Sherpas to carry your gear), it is quite a hike (1.5 km), or bring or rent a boat to ferry you over to the spot.
You will find the site on the southern shore near a tall tree with a wooden crossbar pointing in the general direction. There is also a lot of tar (see below) on the shore with some steel cable sticking out of it.
You can park your car at the Patricia Bungalows but if you don't ask permission and get a tag you will get towed. Getting a row boat from them is possible, for a price!
Level:
This dive is a more advanced dive due to the sharp dropoff and hazardous structure of the ice barge.Conditions:
From the tarry entry point the bottom drops off very sharply. If you head in the direction indicated by the wooden cross in the tree you will find the wreck on your left in about 40 feet of water. The temperature can be cool, as are the other lakes in the area, about 4 to 10 degrees Celsius. Visiblilty is OK depending on conditions. I have heard that under the ice the visibility is excellent!The maximum depth of the lake is about 100 feet. The barge lies in about 40 to 100 feet.
This dive starts at an altitude of about 4200 feet.
Life:
Very few fish! But then again, we are here to see the barge!Precautions:
Please take care around the barge, it has been there for 50 years but it can be damaged by careless divers. If you take a boat, please do not use an anchor, it may damage the structure. There are many cables and pipes lying around the wreck - DIVE WITH A BUDDY!Watch out for row boats, canoes and sail boats.
Highlights:
Project Habakuk was a project of the British Military during World War II. The concept was to build a large flat "ice berg" that could be used to launch air raids on Hitler's armies. Theoretically a large ship made of ice could float around for a very long time providing a safe, portable air strip on the ocean. In Lake Patricia lies the prototype version built using prisoners of war. The idea was not considered cost effective and was cancelled. Supposedly the ice barge floated in its place for the entire summer before melting enough to sink!The wreck consists of an open topped rectangular box with only three of the original four sides standing . The sides in deeper water have fallen down and are laying towards deeper water. You will see a lot of piping that was used for the coolant and asphalt that served as insulation.
There is a plaque in place at the shallowest corner commemorting the proclaimation of this site as an underwater historical resource. This is a pretty cool dive!
The Alberta Scuba Diver's Council has a brochure on this project.
Horseshoe Lake
How to get there:
This is a cool dive in more ways than one! Horseshoe Lake is on the Icefields Parkway (highway #93) 25 km toward Banff from Jasper. There is a good sign with the parking area directly on your left beside the road. From the parking area you have to walk in down a trail that splits into two trails when it reaches the lake. If you go to the left you will come to a boat dock that, while rickety, is a good place to enter the water from. Taking the trail to the right will take you to anther entry point.Level:
This is a good novice dive but has steep drop offs.Conditions:
The first entry point I mentioned (left trail) enters the water in a small shallow bay. The water clarity is incredible! The temperature of the water is also incredible! The bay opens into the main lake which has tall cliffs on each side that continue down into the water.The bottom is very rocky, with large boulders and outcroppings. The drop off is very steep to a maximum depth of about 100 feet.
The thermocline is very pronounced! Temperatures vary between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius.
The walls on each side of the lake are very interesting, there are old rock slides underwater too! The pockets, ledges and overhangs make for a fascinating dive.
Life:
Supposedly there are a lot of fish here although I have not seen many. We did find a few fishing lures, though.Precautions:
There are the usual canoes and row boats as with all lakes in Jasper.Highlights:
The rock formations and large underwater boulders are very exciting.Twin Lakes
How to get there
Take Highway #2 south from Edmonton (or north from Calgary) to Highway #13 (Ma-Me-O Beach. Head west past Pigeon Lake toward Winfield. Twin Lake is about 3 km east of Winfield on the south side of the road. Drive down the dirt road to the lake and turn right. You will see a big dive flag on the side of a trailer belonging to Wings Divers in Edmonton. Facilities at the lake are limitied to camping sites and a chemical toilet.Level
Novice and up including snorkling.Conditions
The bottom of the lake is bowl-shaped and is covered in heavy silt. Avoid the bottom! There are various steep drops in some areas. Sharp thermoclines will be found in the summer at about 10 m and bottom temperatures will be about 4°C. Visibility is between 3 and 10 m in the summer. The bottom drops gradually to a maximum depth of about 30 m. (110 ft).Life
A variety of fish including perch, burbot and pike.Precautions
Make certain to fly a flag. Boats and wind surfers are common in the summer. Poor visibility at depth from time to time.Highlights
Various artifacts are placed throughout the shallow areas directly out from the dock. There is also a dive bell inthe lake, sunken cabin and "cliffs." The trailer at Twin Lake belongs to the Wing Divers Club of Edmonton.HUBBLES LAKE
How to get there
Head west out of Edmonton on Highway #16 for about 40 km and turn north at the Hubbles Lake / Allan Beach sign. Hubbles lake is approximately 3.2 km norht of Highway #16. Restrooms, phones, showers, camping and food are available at Allan Beach. Parking is available at Allan Beach. The Den Divers from Edmonton have a trailer on the north side of the lake. Park your vehicle at Allan Beach and enter and exit at this point. With permission you may enter from the other side of the lake.Level
Novice and up.Conditions
The bottom drops off gradually to a maximum depth of about 30 m. The bottom is muddy and the water temperature is about 4°C at depth.Life
Perch and pike.Precautions
Make certain to fly a flag. Boats are common in the summer.Highlights
The Den Divers Club of Edmonton has built an underwater amusement park on the north side of the lake as shown on the map.West Edmonton Mall Submarine Tank
How to get there:
West Edmonton Mall is located in Edmonton between 170 and 178 Street and on 82 Avenue. The Submarine tank is a huge pool that visitors can tour in submarines to view many species of marine life including: dolphins, sharks, rays, octopi, and other fish. The dive is expenxive, at last check about $30 for the tour. We only got to go around twice and still hadn't used all of our air! It is worth doing once!You must book ahead. If you have a large group you will have to start the dive after closing time at WEM (2100 hrs) but if there are only two of you you may be able to dive while the subs are still running.
