Submitted by Lisa A. Gibbons

Location: Approximately 165 kms. East of Winnipeg, M.B.
Situated in Whiteshell Provincial Park
Dive site is located in Section A of West Hawk Lake Campground

Description: This lake was created by a meteorite and is the deepest lake in Manitoba (385+ feet).

Primarily a wall dive, however the bottom is almost always visible unless you venture quite far away from the wall itself. Fairly easy entry/exit points but be careful of the odd rock and other divers entering/exiting the water. Site is well marked with dive marker buoys surrounding the outside perimeter. It is still recommended that dive buddies use a Diver Down flag/float as the site is in very close proximity to the marina and main beach. Bottom composition primarily silt with sand in the shallower areas. Visibility ranges from approx. 5-25 feet depending on the time of year, number of divers utilizing the dive site, and weather conditions. Average surface temperature during mid summer is 12-14 degrees celsius. Temperature below the thermocline (at approx. 35 feet) is 5 degrees celsius.

What to see: Approx. 15 feet from the shoreline and 35 feet straight down there is a training platform which is used for open water classes. 30 degrees from the platform there is an old sign post along with various other artefacts scattered along the way. 75 feet down there is an old windmill as well as an old sunken one-person sailboat. Various trout and bass can be seen in the shallows as well as numerous crayfish. Large pike sometimes spotted in weedy shallows. Sculpins are well camouflaged but visible in sand flats if you look closely enough. Be on the lookout for burbots resting on the bottom during night dives.

Hazards: Aside from the occasional boater venturing into the dive site (although this is a rare occurrence), be wary of fishing line closer to the shoreline. Also, keep in close contact with your dive buddy and practice good buoyancy control as visibilit tends to diminish quickly if there are numerous other divers in the area stirring up the bottom.

Services: The West Hawk Lake town-site has numerous accommodations and restaurants available to suit almost every budget as well as a grocery store and bank machine. Air fills are available at the Harbour Front marina or from Divers Den (MB) portable compressor (available most weekends during the summer months). Air fills and gear rentals are also available in Kenora, Ontario.