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Diving in Ontario
- Lock 20
Dive site characteristicsDiving notes
Types 
Conditions 
Services 
Planning 
Entry points
It is important to take good reference point with the compass before diving. The visibility is sometime poor. The return has to be done in the right direction! The essential thing to remember is if you go against the current, the exit is on your right while with the current, the exit is on your left.
Note: directions are accurate as possible. It is recommended to go with someone who knows the site.
Road directions
Site Depth Characteristics
Weather To display on Google map, click on
.
1- Lock 21 20m
Descent along the line of the buoy which leads to the 30′ deep structure. The inner lock may reach 60′ deep. Watch your air constantly (rule of thirds) and the current which may get strong sometimes. The usual traject is to follow the transversal axis North-South and the promenade (West-East). This is not a dive for beginner. Visibility may change during season as well as current which mostly vary with rain conditions and the opening of the Cornwall power dam.
2- Dam Sheik Island dam. Informations to come.
3- Cimetière de barges
Barges cimetery30′
Remains of 3 barges can be found, largely deteriorated at about 30′ deep. Visibility is very low. On the South side, there is a rope leading to the next site (Dread) at about 150′ at the South.
4- Dread 50′
Another damaged barge still having some equipment such as anchors and cabestan. The rope on the North side brings you back to the cemetery, the one on the South to the other site (Belly Dumper) at 400′ on the South-East.
5- Belly Dumper 80′
The barge is directly under the buoy. It is a wooden barge sitting on its side. It was used during the St.Lawrence Seaway construction. You will go around very quickly.
6- Quai du parc
Park wharf30′
It is the old wharf. A dive flag is recommended as everywhere in Ontario.
7- Swing bridge 30-65′ Just West of Milles Roches Power House. Only old stone piliars remains.
8- Power House 35-75′
Boat access. Follow the buoy line down to the 1st level at 30′. You may go down to the 2nd level at 55′ and then to the 3rd level at 75′.
9- Control dam 60′ Access by boat, on the East side of the Power House.
10- Lock 20 75′
Dive for expert only. Located à about 1km West of Cornwall dam (Moose Saunders Power Dam).Diver’s services
Approximative travel time : 1:30 hr From highway 401, take exit 778 toward Long Sault. Take the South direction on Moulinette Road up to road 2 (also known as King’s Highway).
To get to Lock 21
Continue heading South direction on Moulinette Road crossing road 2 toward to Long Sault Parkway. You will have to stop and pay your entry fee (3.25 CAN$ per person; summer 2003). It is free the rest of the year. Follow the route up to the McDonnell Island (2nd island).
After driven half way of the island take then the 2nd gravel road and follow toward West direction. There is a brown pavilion (yellow square on the diagram) where informations are available about the dive site and an historic tour relating the story of the Lost Villages after the construction of the St.Lawrence Seaway. The Lock is located on the South side of the island on the St.Lawrence lake (not the St.Lawrence River which is located on the other side of the islands on the American side of the border). You may park your vehicule near the shore unless indicated. Please take note that CAN-US border is located at about 100 feet from the shore (30m).
To get to other sites
From highway 401, take exit 778 toward Long Sault. Take the South direction on Moulinette Road. Turn left on road 2 or Vincent Massey Drive. Follow the route 4.8km, heading East (passed the Lost Villages Museum) up to Guindon Park (take the West entry on the map).
Services Address Phone Description Long Sault Parkway County Road 2,
Cornwall800 437-2233
613 543-4328site access to lock 21 Ron's Scuba Shop 13, 11th Street West,
Cornwall613 933-1362 air, rentals,
© Copyright 1999-2012, Michel Robitaille. All rights reserved.
