I have looked into Bonne Terre Mine before. http://www.2dive.com/aboutus.htm . The 58 degree water temperature is less than desirable. Not quiet as cozy as the caves in the Yucatan. If I happened to be in the area, I would certainly give it a try, but I don't think I would make a vacation out of it.
Bonne Terre Mine
The Billion Gallon Lake is illuminated with over 500,000 watts of lighting, a total of twenty-four dive trails have been laid out in the lake, taking the diver through mammoth archways, past beautiful calcium falls, around gargantuan pillars and to the many abandoned mining artifacts. Depths of the dive tours average between 40 to 60 feet. Divers are toured through the mine in groups of ten by two specially trained dive guides. Super 80 cubic ft. aluminum tanks are provided for each diver. Dive lights are not permitted in the lake, because they detract from the natural beauty of the illuminated surroundings. Power inflator are required on all BC's. Our Billion Gallon Lake is 58 (Degree F) and not affected by outside temperatures, there are no thermo clines. Air temperature is 62 (Degree F) year round. Lighting on the rock formations is spectacular. One can descend to 80 feet and look up to see divers silhouetted against a rainbow. Man carved pillars grace the entire Billion Gallon Lake. The 200 foot solid-rock pillar rising from depths and mining artifacts on the walls and floor make for spectacular underwater photography. |