Dutch Springs

Dutch Springs
Location Northampton County, near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°41′04″N 75°21′20″W / 40.6845°N 75.3556°W / 40.6845; -75.3556Coordinates: 40°41′04″N 75°21′20″W / 40.6845°N 75.3556°W / 40.6845; -75.3556
Type lake/recreation area
Basin countries United States
Max. depth 100 ft (30 m)

Dutch Springs is a spring-fed lake located north of the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Since 1980, a commercial recreation area, with facilities for scuba diving, has operated at the location.

History

In 1933 the National Portland Cement Company purchased the land now known as Dutch Springs and began manufacturing cement and mining limestone. As the mining operation continued, the quarry began to fill with water. For the remainder of the quarry’s operational life, water had to be continuously pumped out. When National Portland Cement shut down in the 1970s, the pumps shut down as well and the now 50-acre (200,000 m2) quarry filled with water.[1]

In 1980, the land was bought and turned into a freshwater diving facility.[1] The facility is currently owned by Stu Schooley.[2]

Ecology

The lake is now home to many fish. Different species include largemouth bass, bluegills, koi, yellow perch as well as rainbow, zebra mussel, Crayfish, and palomino trout.[3][4]

Use

Today, Dutch Springs is an attraction for scuba divers of all levels. Sunken wooden platforms are used for diver certification testing, and numerous attractions such as a fire truck, school bus, trolley and several aircraft are submerged at different depths throughout the quarry.[4]

Local divers participate in an annual New Year's Eve dive.[4] The Boy Scouts of America offers a merit badge in scuba diving and Dutch springs provides site access and rental of some pieces of necessary diving equipment, such as air and weights.[3]

Dutch Springs also offers an "Aqua Park" and "Sky Challenge" as an alternative to scuba diving.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Morgan, Julie. "Keeping 'em Diving in the Keystone State". Sport Diver. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  2. ↑ Cassi, Sarah (2010-11-06). "Unconscious diver at Dutch Springs revived by rescuers". The Express-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  3. 1 2 Huth, Kelly (2011-02-08). "Boy Scout Merit Badge now offered at Dutch Springs". The Express-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  4. 1 2 3 Wichert, Bill (2010-01-01). "Scuba divers say goodbye to 2009 at Lower Nazareth Township's Dutch Springs". The Express-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  5. ↑ Robinson, Dan (2010-08-27). "Day Trips: Dutch Springs Aqua Park". myveronanj.com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
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