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OTTAWA RIVER VALLEY DIVING
Spotted as early as 1978 by a crew of divers exploring new sites, the 15 square kilometres Lake Commandant now attracts hundreds of weekend divers from the Montreal area. Near the village of Boileau, many major dive schools use the new lake access facilities established by Guy and Gilles Caubel for their basic and specialty courses. Dive clubs like to drive in for the day. With visibility in excess of 10 meters this warm watered lake offers shallows, drop-offs, islands and secluded coves.
This lake is one of the few in the province of Quebec that were conceded under the French regime (XVII and XVIIIth century). At the time it was granted as part of the Seigneurie de la Petite-Nation. Such French titles included ownership of lake bottom as well as surrounding lands. Thus general public access to this peculiar body of water is still controlled by three different landlords. Canadian Pacific Hotel & Resort Le Chateau Montebello manages La Réserve de la Petite Nation. Under the thematic name of Kenauk it owns and cares for some two thirds of the lake. A private fish and game organization (Z.E.C.) and the town of Boileau care for the other sectors. Public access to the northern section of the lake is granted at the Auberge du Lac Commandant owned by the Caubels. Arrangements can be made through this dive facility to dive in other private sections.
Lake Commandant was named after an Indian chief (Komenda). The algonquin family surname is still in use in the Maniwaki area of the Gatineau river watershed. Located in the Ottawa River watershed, it was eroded by glaciers following two different valleys. The western Maskinonge and Margaret Bays appear shallower. They offer a scenery of islands and channels with depths ranging from 10 to 30 meters. A good topographical map and sonar will help in locating dive areas. Large clean weed beds host numerous species of fish. A single dive will reveal dozens of species of aquatic plants, making this lake the ideal setting for a fresh water ecology specialty class. Trophy size bass, pike, trout, perch and various pan fish species are ubiquitous. Turtles, fresh water sponges and all the clear fresh water paraphernalia of invertebrates appear here and there. Underwater life forms will keep the diving video or photo enthusiast busy dive after dive. Snorkelers will benefit from the warm calm waters. With a little luck and a lot of strategy, they may even get a glimpse of a beaver. In the eastern section, both Hamilton Bay and Cameron Bay are much deeper with sharp drops and rock formations from 15 to 50 meters.
Lake Commandant (also know on maps as Lake Papineau) is popular for certifications, club outings, treasure hunts, deep dive and ice diving. The Auberge offers beach and ramp access to the public waters as well as private sectors (small daily fees). Dive pontoons and beach equipment are available for rentals. Contact (819) 687-2882.
Le lac Commandant situé aux limites du comté d'Argenteuil, dans la région de la Petite-Nation, est de plus en plus populaire auprès des écoles et clubs de plongée. L'accès public y est possible par le biais de la plage de l'Auberge du Lac Commandant. Cependant les trois quarts du lac sont du domaine privé selon la loi de cession datant du régime français. Les propriétaires de l'Auberge ont toutefois négocié des tarifs permettant aux plongeurs et visiteurs d'accéder aux territoires sous juridiction du Château Montebello (Réserve de la petite Nation - Kenauk). Le site répertorié en 1978 par l'équipe de plongeurs Opération Eau-Rage a conservé toute sa splendeur. Au fil des ans plusieurs nouveaux secteurs ont été plongés et répertoriés. Les gérants de l'Auberge pourront vous y guider.
QUEBEC CORONER UPDATE.
Coroner Denis Boudrias fielded his third report early last October. After hearings on the fatal diving accident that occurred in Eastman in June 1995, Boudrias pressured Minister of Municipal Affairs Rémy Trudel in acting promptly on the matter of safety in scuba diving. Stating that there is no longer a need for more inquests to document the situation, the coroner added three new recommendations to the many he formulated both in his 1991 and early 1996 reports. First, he asks that a full day of open water training be mandatory by law in all basic courses in addition to the normal certification schedule. Second, that instructors supervising open water certification exams make sure that all of the students are tested equally. Finally, that every student diver be teamed up, for their first ten dives, with certified divers with at least 10 dives or more experience.
Asked by Radio-Canada (CBC radio French network), Municipal Affairs spokesman revealed that announced legislation would be submitted to the National Assembly before Christmas recess with possible application in the spring of 1997. Planned government budget cuts and Quebec Safety in Sports Board future operations are said in the milieu de la plongée to be taken in considerations.
Le coroner Denis Boudrias a diffusé au début octobre son troisième rapport d'enquête. Assisté de Me Gérald Milot et du caporal André Vallée, chef de l'Escouade de plongée sous-marine de la Sûreté du Québec pour l'Est de la province, Me Boudrias a interrogé 22 témoins en rapport avec la noyade accidentelle de Madame Martine Lemaire survenue au Lac Orford en juin 1995.
En conclusion de son rapport, Me Boudrias a tenu à rappeler toutes ses recommandations datant de 1991 et de 1995. Il a ajouté trois nouveaux avis et a insisté publiquement dans les médias pour que le Ministère des Affaires Municipales légifère rapidement dans ce domaine.
QUEBEC COUNCIL ELECTS NEW BOARD.
Quebec Underwater Council, Fédération québécoise des activités subaquatiques, has announced that a new board of directors was elected at the September 28 annual general meeting in Quebec City. Richard Thouin, new chair, Serge Boudreau and Gérard Migneault, vice-chairmen, Michel Ladouceur, secretary, Josée Méthot, treasurer and Martin Galarneau, Instructors College Chair, will steer the FQAS during the next two years. Full AGM proceedings and new board orientations will be inserted in the next council tabloid newsletter En Profondeur.