Aqualung Divers9 Experimental Survey Of Lake Coleridge Floor

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28099, 15 October 1956, Page 10

Aqualung Divers 9 Experimental Survey Of Lake Coleridge Floor

To learn more about the floor of Lake Coleridge and the aquatic life and vegetation there, three members of the Canterbury Underwater Club dived to a depth of 80 feet with aqualungs. The descent proved particularly successful, and other members of the club, similarly equipped, will dive in Lake Lyndon later this year to study the lake's trout population. The three members of the club who made the descent in Lake Coleridge were Messrs J. White, A. R. Peters and R. V. Whitta.

Mr Whitta made a preliminary survey of the lake when he dived to a depth of 40ft. Descending by a rope on the east side of the intake mole for the Lake Coleridge power station.

Mr Whitta spent some time on the steeply sloping floor. When the three dived together they reached 80ft. "At that depth, the air was getting between our suite and makin K it rather uncomfortable," said Mr Whitta last ev S)l n .?;., describing the descent . V l sib jl lty in the lake is good—- “ AK Ut ♦ 4 2a yards '” said Mr Whitta. h Ab l °, ut 20 °r 3 °ft down the large boulders on the floor thinned out. the., SUC A C . eed u d by thin sand and then mud. At about 40ft. we began k il ee v. Sm S vegetation, about 4to the Roft S m hl £ h «. As - we a PProached the 80ft mark, the size of this vegetation increased greatly ” Uf u no sign of fish or animal there were some interesting specimens of fresh water mussels. The sou w r sloping steeply at wnw We eouid have gone down to diSomf'nil 1 °t ur adualu . n g s - but the discomfort of our suits prevented us. he said.

The chairman of the club (Mr F. „ ben v e s . s ?. id last evening that members of the club were keen to iL S h„ J bell j dl .y ,n S . techniques in colleting and observing biological specimens. For this reason, they would h«ve an opportunity of diving in Lake Lyndon later this year. '