Jefferson
Iowa News, in conjunction with the Greene County Department of Tourism,
is making available the following information for all the snorkeling and
diving enthusiasts in Iowa. It is hoped that we are just in time for
snorkeling season, and this information will aid local divers as well as
tourists from other areas who may be unaware of the snorkeling and
diving opportunities afforded in Greene County. We have limited our list
of sites to the top five, but would like to stress that many other
locations exist.Snorkelers and divers can obtain more information on Greene County area parks by visiting the Greene County Chamber of Commerce web site. Feel free to write us and suggest other locales, as well as future topics of interest. Have snorkeling and diving questions in general? Contact us at rickbland@jeffersoniowanews.com. We will publish our favorite local underwater photos at a later date.
1. Goose Lake
Goose Lake. north of Farlin, offers opportunities to snorkel, but the depth of the lake is somewhat limited for deep diving. Snorkelers here will be able to glimpse evidence of limited underwater life, as well as wreckage of automobile parts, and the occasional dead livestock.
2. Dunbar Slough
The area referred to as Dunbar Slough, south of Scranton, provides the snorkeler with a chance to view local underwater life in its natural undisturbed environment. The slough lately has been polluted with hog confinement runoff. Diving is not recommended.
3. Spring Lake
Always a popular choice, Spring Lake (north and east of Jefferson), is perhaps Greene County's most well-known park. If lucky, the avid snorkeler/diver here may be able to take part in underwater sports such as rugby or hockey. Although it is the area's largest lake, it is generally devoid of all algae, reefs, coral, marine life, or any other item of interest generally associated with snorkeling.
4. Municipal Swimming Pool
Snorkeling and diving are permitted in the Jefferson Municipal Pool, located on South Maple Street. At least we assume they are.
5. Walter Fishback's Pond
Located in rural Willow Township, the Fishback farm pond has been measured to reach a depth of four or five feet during the spring rainy season. Walter has stocked the pond with carp, and anyone interested in learning the art of spearfishing should pay him a visit. At least fourteen dead cows have been located and catalogued in this pond.
Rick Bland, 09-22-2011