Dutch Springs

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. Dutch Springs had planned on selling the property to a warehouse company and it was expected to close operations.[1][2] In 2022 the Dutch Springs commercial diving and training facility was reopened under the name "Lake Hydra".[3]

Dutch Springs
View of the aqua park at Dutch Springs
Location of Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, USA.
Location of Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, USA.
Dutch Springs
Location of Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, USA.
Location of Dutch Springs in Pennsylvania, USA.
Dutch Springs
LocationNorthampton County, near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40.6845°N 75.3556°W / 40.6845; -75.3556
Typelake/recreation area
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. depth100 ft (30 m)
Websitehttp://dutchsprings.com

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.[4]

In 1980, the land was bought and turned into a freshwater diving facility.[4] The facility is currently owned by Stuart Schooley.[5] Between 1986 and 2015, at least 16 deaths occurred at Dutch Springs, including that of a teenage boy in 2011.[6][7]

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.[8][9]

Facilities

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.[9]

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.[9] 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.[8]

Dutch Springs also offers an "Aqua Park" and "Sky Challenge" as an alternative to scuba diving.[10]

See also

References
  1. 'I think we have enough warehouses.' Lehigh Valley officials not happy with industrial plan for Dutch Springs aqua park
  2. "Dutch Springs, the scuba diving mecca of Pennsylvania, faces murky future as warehouse project looms". PhillyVoice. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  3. Ward, Jeff. "'Lake Hydra' chosen as name for new diving venue at former Dutch Springs". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  4. Morgan, Julie. "Keeping 'em Diving in the Keystone State". Sport Diver. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  5. Cassi, Sarah (2010-11-06). "Unconscious diver at Dutch Springs revived by rescuers". The Express-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  6. Lester, Patrick (2015-08-01). "Dutch Springs deaths illustrate danger of scuba diving". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  7. Koomar, Susan (2011-05-23). "Royersford teen killed in Lehigh Valley [updated]". Patch News. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  8. Huth, Kelly (2011-02-08). "Boy Scout Merit Badge now offered at Dutch Springs". The Express-Times. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  9. Wichert, Bill (2010-01-01). "Scuba divers say goodbye to 2009 at Lower Nazareth Township's Dutch Springs". The Express-Times. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  10. Robinson, Dan (2010-08-27). "Day Trips: Dutch Springs Aqua Park". Myveronanj.com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
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