Sat, July 20, 2013 Dives: 2 Bottom Time: 150 minutes Max Depth: 41-50ft/12-15m Avg Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m Water Temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C Weight: 14 Exposure Suit: Fullsuit - 5 (Boots) Tank Type: AL - 80cf/11L Gas Type: Air Dive Buddy: Christopher (christopherbaker)    Mermet Springs Belknap, IL Water Type: Fresh Entry Type: Shore

Had a great time at Mermet Springs! Very friendly and helpful staff. Easy access to the water, and lots of table space for getting prepped. We saw huge spoonbills, friendly bluegill, and lots of bass. The bluegill spawning area had several tiny newly hatched babies swimming about. Interesting underwater structures, and lots of them- airplanes, schoolbus, motorcycle, etc. Water was warm, with a thermocline around 30-35 ft where it got aggressively colder. We could have dove deeper if we had gloves/hood, even with just our 5mil suits, but made it down to 45 ft (very briefly!!). Overall it was a great trip for our first solo dive past certification. We actually even forgot our BC’s there sitting on a bench and called the next morning- they were still in the same spot and they offered to box and send them back to us. (They said they have never had anything stolen there.) Couldn’t ask for a better experience!