Mermet
Springs
Metropolis, Illinois
Explore Midwest Diving: October 9, 2010 & January 1, 2011
Find out more about Mermet Springs:
www.mermetsprings.com
For
those who have never been to Mermet, it's one of the
must dives in the midwest. Mermet is located on US
45 between Vienna and Metropolis, IL. Mermet's claim
to fame is the US Marshals' "Con Air"
727 which was sunk there after being used in the Warner
Brothers film US Marshals. The plane's fuselage
provides a unique swim through opportunity for the
midwestern diver.
Topographically,
Mermet Springs is similar to other quarries. Shallower
on one side than the other, with a maximum depth of
approximately 120' on the deep side. Needless to say,
it is fairly cold down there - bottom temperature
below the second thermocline is usually 42F.
You
can learn much more about Mermet Springs conditions
and underwater attractions on their website at
www.mermetsprings.com.
The owner, Glen Faith, has put a lot of effort into
making Mermet a "First Class" diving facility
and the website is a great resource to learn more
about this facility.
Early
spring and late fall are some of the best times to
dive at Mermet. The student population is relatively
low - outside of peak season to do certifications
- and the visibility is usually up.
The closest lodging is in Metropolis, but Paducah
offers a larger variety of hotels and is only a little
further away.
Lodging:
Best
Western
2119 East Fifth, Metropolis, Illinois 62960
618-524-3723
Mermet Springs Diver Rate: 10%discount
Room rates are approx. $40 per night.
Ramada
Ltd.
Exit 16 on I-24, 709 E. Vine, Vienna, Illinois 62995
618-658-6300
Mermet Springs Diver Rate: 2 double beds -- $48 + tax
per night
Super
8
2055 Fifth St., Metropolis, Illinois 62920
618-524-8200
Room rates start at $55 per night.
About
the Quarry
Mermet
Springs is an 8.5 acre spring fed stone quarry, located
in Southern Illinois. The quarry has 100 foot walls and
wooded hills encompassing nearly half of its perimeter.
The sheer walls are not only on the top but can be followed
to depths of 120 ft.
This
quarry is devoted to diving and dive training. We have
an array of items of interest for all divers. Whether
it is our training platforms, easy entry docks, 15-120
ft. dives, or the many sunken treasures such as the Boeing
727 airplane used in the movie "U.S. Marshals,"
you are sure to find something of interest.
Snorkeling,
kayaking and on-site camping for divers and their guests
round out the ammenities at Mermet Springs.
Directions
to Mermet Springs:
View
color map here.
Mermet
Springs is located 175 miles from St. Charles in Southern
Illinois on U.S. Highway 45 between the towns of Vienna
and Metropolis. Plan on 3 to 4 hours driving time.
•
From St. Charles, go east on Highway 70. Take Highway
70 to I-64 East to I-57 South to I-24 East.
• Take Exit 14, which is US Highway 45, and make
a right (south) through Vienna.
• The entrance to Mermet Springs is about 10 miles
down and will be on your right (west) side.
NOTE:
If you miss I-24 Exit 14, take the very next exit, Exit
16. Turn right (west) on Route 146 and you'll drive
about two miles into downtown Vienna. Turn left (south)
on US Highway 45 and proceed to Mermet Springs. The
entrance to Mermet Springs is about 10 miles down and
will be on your right (west) side.
Contact
information:
Physical address: 6724 N. U.S. Highway 45, Belknap, Illinois
62908
Phone: 618-527-3483
Owner/Operator: Glen Faith
Website: www.mermetsprings.com
E-mail: mermet@accessus.net
Per
Mermet's rules, there is no parking in front of the pavillions,
but you can pull up to unload.
Miscellaneous
information:
• Air fills, including Nitrox, are available. See
Mermet Spring's Website for more information.
• Mermet Springs offers limited concessions, hot
showers and camping.
View
color map here.
Explore
Midwest Diving:
•
Standard
Safe Diving Practices
• Special
Event Voluntary Liability Release
As
part of the Explore Midwest Diving
program, we will be visiting Mermet Springs on Saturday,
October 10, 2009. After you check in with the Mermet Springs
staff, check in with the Midwest Scuba staff. We will
have an EZ-Up setup with a large Midwest Scuba banner.
The EZ-Up should be setup by 9:00 a.m.
Site
briefing information will be provided at the Midwest Scuba
EZ-Up.
Each
buddy team will be responsible for planning their own
diving. Anyone without a buddy will have plenty of time
and opportunity to find a buddy for the day's diving.
For
those interested, Mermet Springs is open for night diving.
If people are interested in night dives we will leave
the EZ-Up in place. There will also be lanterns in the
EZ-up to help setup/break down equipment.
Those
interested will need to provide their own lights - one
primary, one backup and a marker light or lightstick.
If
you are interested in visiting Mermet Springs as part
of the Explore Midwest Diving program, please visit the
EMD page and RSVP to our Staff.
