Today was a rare day in that it appears that the St. Joseph river, as it flows along Riverview Park in Niles, MI is finely available for diving.
Normally, we are in the river at least once a week by this time in the summer but last year’s river flooding and this year increased rain fall has resulted in high water levels, lousy visibility in the water and extremely fast currents.
Add in the extreme riverbank erosion and resultant embankments being under washed has resulted in unheard of numbers of uprooted trees and riverbank shrubs in the water’s edge. This has increased the dangers of impalement and entanglement and entrapment.
But with that said today we cautiously entered the waters from Capt. John boat along the far shore embankment.
There were 4 of us diving, all experienced in fast river current and aware of the entrapment hazards. It was noted that the usual use of an inner tube float and basket with diver down flag was not feasible in today’s dive as the basket would act as a sea anchor and drag you down stream and most likely in an uncontrollable manner.
We securely anchored the boat about 15 feet from shore in water about 7 feet deep. We put dive flags on the boat and two trailing 20 feet behind the boat. Then put out a line from the front of the boat to the rear.
One diver went in first with his river stick and made it to the shallows and stood up and gave us a report on the current effect and bottom features felt or seen. With that information the remaining divers suited up and entered the water.
By keeping close to the shoreline, usually in less than 5 or 6 feet of water one could see 2 to 4 feet if not in someone’s silt path. The river is very strong and there were lots of snags, tree limbs and shoreline brush BUT being slow and very careful it was dive able.
Grubbing resulted in several nice bottles, china, and misc. ceramic items recovered.
The river is open BUT with the current is ripping, visibility 2 to MAYBE 4 feet, with the riverbank full of snags and sharp pointy things we strongly recommend only experienced rivers divers entering the waters at this time.
