Blue lagoon, March 2013

Hi All.
I've been asked to post a brief report on this mornings dive site. For those that don't know, Milton Keynes Sac are fortunate to have access to their own lake which they encourage other clubs to use for a small fee of £5 per diver.

The lake is quite large and about 18mts at it's deepest. Situated in Bletchley blue lagoon nature reserve,access is through a private gate and parking is on the water front. Under water attractions include the usual stuff, a couple of boats and cars ,a mini bus, small plane as well as a few other odds and sods.Other features are a few submerged trees which seemed quite eerie and a steep muddy cliff face.

There is also a 10mt training platform. Though i did not see any i'm told there are plenty of fish in the lake as well as lots signal crayfish which divers can take if they so wish.

Though cold, 3 degrees our dive was uneventful but served as useful shake down dive. Vis about 7mts. There were two members of MK and they they kindly offered to guide us around the lake. Ben, myself in one pair with Alex T and Simon in another. I don't get over enthusiastic about inland sites but for basic training and equipment testing ect the Blue lagoon is ideal. No crowds, 45min drive and a reasonable depth .
Mk sac use the lake on sundays between 1030 and 1330 (1530 if pre arranged) and also wednesday evenings from april onwards. They seem a friendly bunch and have invited us back any time. Any one wishing to visit the lake either see me or contact Graham Nash the DO, details can be found on their website. Remember though there are no filling or food facilities but this isn't a problem if your organised.

Regrds Gary

Blue lagoon Arlesey, April 2012

Last Sunday Phil, Ben and Gary had a dive in the "blue lagoon Arlesey". 

The dive itself was pretty uneventful with poor vis, being only about 3-4 mts . This was due chiefly by all the rain we have had and also by a couple of other clubs at the site. 

North Herts sac have the lease to the lake but they sub let it to Mid herts sac and Stevenage SAA .Unfortunately we chose the weekend when both clubs were doing OW Training. 

Water temp was 10 degrees and we had a 50min dive. Max depth was about 11mts, slightly low water level because of the drought. Its pretty easy to find your way around due to lines being laid to most of the features in the lake which include several small boats, cars, a cabin cruiser as well as the huts and quarrying equipment. It also has training platforms at 6 and 10 mts. 

The lake is home to some very big fish including a big catfish that lives under the cabin cruiser but they were elusive today. This time of the year the big fish tend to lay up in the margins but in the summer the two huts act as a protective reef to the thousands of small fry and so the big predatory fish tend to hang around them.  The lake is situated in the village of Arlesey close to Baldock, 35min up the A1, though no facilities at the site it makes a good alternative from Wraysbury but you have to be out of water by 930 due to the sailing club and they limit visiting divers to 4 .  In the summer north herts often have their club nights at the site with a dive and BBQ.  Anyone who fancies different site and wants to dive the lake let me (Gary C) know and I’ll tell you who to contact.