I am giving you a very general description of Bonne Terre Mine some of which I have borrowed from their site to describe this indescribable diving phenomenon. I do know that it has been dived and filmed by Jacques Cousteau, and I have been told that portions of the movie 'The Abyss' where filmed there. Bonne Terre Mine is a gigantic (measured in square mile) underground lake in the state of Missouri, USA. Located one hour south of St. Louis, Missouri, 8 blocks off the interstate, and beneath the town of Bonne Terre Missouri. The Mine illuminated with over 500,000 watts of lighting, and 24 dive trails have been established in the lake, taking the diver through mammoth archways, past beautiful calcium falls, around gargantuan pillars and to the many abandoned mining artifacts, locomotives,ore carts and buildings. Depths of the dive tours average between 40 to 60 feet. Bottom time averages 35 to 45 minutes per dive. Divers are toured through the mine in groups of 10 diver by two dive guides. 80 cubic ft. aluminum tanks are provided each diver. Visibility is 100+ feet. Dive lights are not permitted in the lake, because they are not necesssary. Water Temperature is 58degrees and not affected by outside temperatures, there are no thermoclines...year-round Air temperature is 62 degrees year- round Lighting on the rock formations is spectacular. One can descend to 80 feet and look up to see divers silhouetted against a rainbow. Man carved pillars grace the entire Billion Gallon Lake. The 200 foot solid rock pillars rising from depths and mining artifacts on the walls and floor make for spectacular underwater photography. Walking Tours and Boat Tours are available and run every hour. Dive costs are $65.00 per dive with a two dive minimum and includes tanks, fills, and guides.
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