Dive 117 – Ewens Ponds

By pfuller

Jan

11

Dive Number: 117 23/12/10 12.51  Ewens Ponds, Mt Gambier

Wind:   15knot  SE’s??

Conditions:   Still fairly windy, but a nice sunny day. 

Visibilty: 30m+

Water Temp: 16c

Bottom Time: 122 minutes

Max Depth: 9.8m

Air usage: 140bar/2000psi ????

SAC: ???? litres/min

Details:  We decided to make our way homewards from Rapid Bay and headed back through  Mt Gambier. W gave Ewens Ponds another try, but this time with a macro lens to try to concenrate on some of the marine life.

Species seen included Ewens Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca  variegata), Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butheri), Common Galaxid (Galaxis Maculatus), River Blackfish(Gadopsis Marmoratus), a fish i’m yet to ID (maybe a young australian grayling???) and Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus bispinosus).  Of the smaller variety Freshwater Shrimp  (Paratya australiensis) and  some tiny bright red pod things.

Camera Details: Sigma 17-70mm , dual SS200 strobes

Dive Report:

Dive 114 – Ewens Ponds

By pfuller

Jan

6

Dive Number: 113 21/12/10 16.59  Ewens Ponds

Wind:  ??? Strong winds..possibly 15-20 SE’s

Conditions:  Windy conditions..overcast with patches of sunlight when clouds cleared. 

Visibilty: Awesome…maybe 30m+

Water Temp: 16c

Bottom Time: 64 minutes

Max Depth: 9.8m

Air usage: 140bar/2000psi ????

SAC: ???? litres/min

Details: Well..if Piccaninnie ponds gave me a taste for this sinkhole stuff, being able to scuba in Ewens Ponds took that craving to a new level.  It could only be described as diving some other planet…maybe a moon of Jupiter, except your guaranteed to see life on this dive. The first pond puts you straight into 10m ampitheatre witha pure white sand bottom which the springs feeds out. The springs bubble away beneath and the walls of the ampitheatre are lined with bolders cover in mud and bizaar weed structures.  A small shallow channel leads you through vibrant green and yellow vegetation  to the second pond,  contrasting amazingly with the unearthly blue and grey hues of the first pond. The second pond is shallower than the first and you quickly get lead into the second channel, again with vibrant reeds and vegetation. The last pond is another deep one, and has a small cave under the exit point which is a good place for sheltering bream and blackfish.   

Camera Details: Tokina 10-17mm , dual SS200 strobes

Dive Report: