Bonne Terre Mine - Bonne Terre, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 37° 55.368 W 090° 33.079
15S E 715229 N 4200077
Worlds largest fresh water dive resort is located in an underground lead mine in Bonne Terre, Missouri.
Waymark Code: WM3QXF
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 05/07/2008
Views: 94
Bonne Terre mine is the former St. Joe Lead Mine begun in 1870. The mine
became the worlds largest underground lead mine by the time it closed in 1961.
After the mine closed the mine filled with underground springs creating a
billion gallon underground lake submerging the old mine equipment and
structures. The lake features 17 miles of navigable shoreline and features 24
different dive trails. The maximum depth is 100 feet with average depths of
40-60 feet. The water temperature is a constant 58 degrees with an air
temperature at a constant 62 degrees allowing year round diving. The underground
lake is illuminated with 500,000 watts of lighting and the clarity of the water
allows visibility greater than 100 feet. Dive lights are not allowed in the mine
are are not needed The dive dive trails lead the divers through huge archways
and pillars and by relics of the bygone mining days. The billion gallon lake is
accessed through the mule tunnel which was used to bring mules into the mine
during its mining days. The mine is listed as a National Geographic Top 10
Adventure. For more information about the mining and diving see their
website.
Water Type: Other
Salinity: Fresh
Access: Other
Maximum Depth: 100
Typical Visibility: Excellent (60+ ft)
Wreck or Submerged Object?: Multiple
Underwater Life: None
Has Reef?: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
1) To log a visit, at least a picture taken at the surface, including any distinguishing landmarks or buoys if present, is required. While you do not have to enter the water, this is encouraged.
2) If you dive at the site, describe your visit including any details you wish to share such as weather, water temperature, visibility, bottom time, and anything of interest that you observed, living or nonliving.