Dutch Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dutch Springs |
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 Dutch Springs
Location in Pennsylvania
Dutch Springs
Location in the United States
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| Location | Northampton County, near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°41′04″N 75°21′20″W / 40.6845°N 75.3556°W |
| Type | lake/recreation area |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. depth | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Website | http://dutchsprings.com |
Dutch Springs is a spring-fed lake located north of the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Since 1980, a commercial recreation area, with facilities for scuba diving, has operated at the location.
History
In 1933 the National Portland Cement Company purchased the land now known as Dutch Springs and began manufacturing cement and mining limestone. As the mining operation continued, the quarry began to fill with water. For the remainder of the quarry’s operational life, water had to be continuously pumped out. When National Portland Cement shut down in the 1970s, the pumps shut down as well and the now 50-acre (200,000 m2) quarry filled with water.
In 1980, the land was bought and turned into a freshwater diving facility. The facility is currently owned by Stu Schooley.
Ecology
The lake is now home to many fish. Different species include largemouth bass, bluegills, koi, yellow perch as well as rainbow, zebra mussel, Crayfish, and palomino trout.
Use
Today, Dutch Springs is an attraction for scuba divers of all levels. Sunken wooden platforms are used for diver certification testing, and numerous attractions such as a fire truck, school bus, trolley and several aircraft are submerged at different depths throughout the quarry. In addition to the added underwater attractions, the original pumping station used by the National Portland Cement Company is now a popular dive site within the lake.
Local divers participate in an annual New Year's Eve dive. The Boy Scouts of America offers a merit badge in scuba diving and Dutch springs provides site access and rental of some pieces of necessary diving equipment, such as air and weights.
Dutch Springs also offers an "Aqua Park" and "Sky Challenge" as an alternative to scuba diving.
