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Diving in Quebec

Dive site characteristics

Types Conditions Services Planification

Diving notes

The picture on the left shows the picnic area and the shelter, with the quarry in the background. The center photo shows the shallow pool that allows divers to access the quarry beyond the bridge. This pool also serves as a swimming area for children during the summer months. The photo on the right shows the quarry accessible to divers, with a maximum depth of over 100 feet. There is obviously no current, so there is a thermocline, and the water temperature may surprise you. Divers enter directly from the shallow pool, passing under the bridge to the main quarry. Follow the quarry wall on the right side for a gradual descent to the airplane at 24 feet, and the tugboat a litter farther on. This route follows the old road, descending gradually down into the quarry. The other option is to head left under the bridge and descend directly down the cliffside to just over 100 feet and see the old car, but be careful.   Click on one of the pictures to watch a video (sizes appear under each picture). Download 1.5Mb 2.4Mb 8.1Mb The popularity of the Morrison quarry for divers is largely due to the efforts made by the Santa Maria Society at the beginning of the 1980’s. The dedication and contribution of its president, Mr Frank T. Martin, was key in placing the airplane and the tugboat in the quarry. You may take a look at Mr. Martin’s slide show about the Santa Maria Project (the Tugboat) (click on the arrow to see). You may also take a look at The Florence Project (the airplane). In the name of all divers who benefit from Morisson Quarry, I want to thank Mr. Martin for his contributions, whom I encountered by pure chance on Sunday afternoon, July 11th 2004, during a visit to an unusual dive site. Did you know? The quarry is used as the competition site for freediving and apnea.

Entry points

Note: directions are accurate as possible. It is recommended to dive with someone who knows the site. The external perimeter is delimited by an underwater cliff. The trace having a "?" shape indicates the old truck road on the right leading down the quarry, which is bordered on the left by an abrupt vertical cliff.

Site   Depth   Characteristics  To display the map on Google map, click on .  1- Automobile #1 108′  Car #1 is a dive for advanced diver. The white car is a Swift Suzuki GL 1.3liter (automatic transmission) equiped with 4 seasons tires. The top has been crushed.  2- Automobile #2 110′  Car #2is a 2nd deep dive for advanced divers. The red car is an MR2 Toyota and sits on his 4 wheels.  3- Arche   Informations to come.  4- Palissade   Informations to come.  5- Bateau remorqueur 60′  Tugboat, a funny dive, the openings are large enough to make a interior visit. Le boat has been intalled by Frank Martin of the Santa Maria Society in 1979.  6- Avion 20′  Airplane, another fun dive. Normally, you pass by the airplane to visit the tugboat. Also installed by the Santa Maria Society in 1981.  7- Convoyeur 60′  Conveyor, a dive for beginners.  8- Sous-marin 60′  A dive for beginners. A mini sub made of metal.  9- Tee-Pee 60′  A dive for beginners. It is a structure built on a square like a tee-pee.

Road directions

Approximative travel time : 2:30 hrs Don’t get into trouble, make a reservation (access fee will be asked; 10$ in 2004). Bring your C-card: you must register in order to dive. Watch the schedule for diving. From Hull, take highway 5 heading North. At the end of the road, turn right and then left at the red light on road 105. You then have 4 more km to go. The Morrison Quarry is 1km after Carmen road. Watch for the sign about the Morrison Quarry and the Great Canadian Bungee of 200’ high. The quarry entrance will be on your right. From Ottawa, while on highway 417 take the exit 118 (Nicholas - Hull). Continue past the lights and watch for directions leading to King Edward. Go down King Edward to cross the bridge to Quebec. While on the bridge crossing the Outaouais River, follow the directions as indicated above. The quarry is located in the municipality of Wakefield.

Diver’s services

Services   Address        Phone        Description  Carrière Morrison   819 459-3260 dive site

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