New Dive Sites on the Lake
SAGE SULARZ Aug 02, 2023
Lake Champlain is home to approximately 300 shipwrecks 10 of which can currently be explored on SCUBA. The lake itself boasts an area of 490 square miles and reaches 400 feett at its deepest point, its large size and long history have fascinated both divers and non-divers for decades. Champlain connects Canada to the Hudson River and through the centuries has been used for commercial, military, transportation, and more. Over the years many vessels have failed to complete their assigned journey and landed at the bottom of the lake, some due to accidental causes and others with a more insidious story. Shipwrecks in the lake are managed by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and a complete list of wrecks and a synopsis of each dive can be found on their webpage. This summer two new wrecks have been officially added into the preserve registry, they will become available soon as local dive sites.
The Pot Ash Point Canal Boat shipwreck has just been announced and will open to divers this August. The pre-1862 standard canal boat is accessible to all levels of divers sitting in 35 feet of water in the southern end of the lake. The purpose of this boat was stone transportation, fragments of which can still be viewed. The bow and stern are intact and internal structures are visible. This will be an interesting option for newer divers, giving them the chance to connect with history.
The Providence Island Canal Sloop is slated to open for public diving September 2023. At 85 feet this boat has been well preserved by the cold and darkness while sitting patiently at the bottom of the lake. The history of this vessel is wholly unknown, evidence shows a family lived on board in good conditions. The decorative turquoise paint remains catching the eye of investigators and a full load of coal still sits in the hold. However, no source can be identified explaining its eventual demise, in fact there is no record this unique boat or its unlucky crew ever existed.
These sites we made possible with the support of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. Access is a privilege, and all divers should register on the LCMM website once per year and treat the preserves with respect. Boat charters going out to wrecks and historic sites run at least twice per week through Waterfront Diving Center. The schedule is posted online and checks for availability or book can be made over the phone or in person.
