Illinois: Mermet Springs
Diving in First Class
6724 N, US-45, Belknap, IL 62908
October 19th and 20th, 2019
Dive Buddy: Kody C
45’ for 37 minutes, 64’ for 34 minutes
53’ for 41 minutes, 27’ for 23 minutes
20’ for 20 minutes, 61’ for 43 minutes
Mermet Springs offers submerged training platforms, easy entry docks, dives from 15 to 120 feet in depth, and numerous sunken treasures to explore. The entire spring is smaller than Haigh Quarry, making it possible to easily see multiple artifacts on a single dive. The biggest attraction is a Boeing 737 that was used from the movie US Marshals (1997). The plane was sunk nose down going down to about 50’ of water with the tail end in about 15’. The wings have been removed as has everything from the inside which makes for easy penetration and wreck training dives.
There are several training platforms in about 15-20’ of water. One of the nicest thing about the Springs is that the platforms and attractions have lines and markers between each of the major attractions. There are also underwater speakers which is a strange but interesting addition to the dive site.
Air fills, and gear rentals are done via a tab system where you pay at the end of the day or weekend for what you used which makes getting air fills a lot faster and easier.
Visibility was what you would expect from a lake or a quarry, below 25’ the visibility was a lot better, but also hit the thermocline which again is expected. There was not a lot of aquatic life, a handful of blue gills and sunfish, but was able to see at least 5 paddlefish, and a very large fat catfish.
