Martha’s Quarry - Lebanon TN

Martha’s Quarry is a shore accessible fresh water dive site, located at 650 Quarry Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090. This dive site has an average rating of 3.45 out of 5 from 33 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 51-60ft/16-18m. The average visibility is 21-25ft/6-8m. Training platforms are available.

F red Massie has operated Martha’s Quarry as a dive site for 12 years, trying his best to preserve the water and surrounding area as a haven for wildlife. No electricity is available at the site and the recent move to the East side of the quarry allows for tents/camping an much cooler dive prep with tree cover. But primitive is how Massie likes it. Still, Martha’s Quarry offers a dive site that is open weekends and by appointment. A frequent visitor is the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency which trains employees and conducts experiments at the site. Divers will find the remnants of a once-thriving quarry, including a four-story rock crusher house and a three-story "shaker" house. In 55 feet of water sits a coach bus, and in other parts of the quarry are two pumphouses, a bluegill garden and a pickup truck. There are also two underwater forests located in the quarry.

Depths to: 60 feet (18 m)

Visibility: 30-40 feet (9-12 m)

Water temperature: 44 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and up to 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) in summer

Marine life: Bluegill, sauger, spotted or "Kentucky" bass, koi, and catfish

Fees: $35 per diver per day or pick up a cheaper $20 card from local dive shops

More info from ShoreDiving.com shorediving.com/Earth/USA_Mid/Tennessee/Marthas_Quarry/index.htm

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Comments

Bmax - 7/19/2021 6:15 AM

I went scuba diving here on 7/17/2021. Average viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Water temp: 56-60°F/13-16°C.
Near the surface water was really warm, below 25 feet temp dropped to 52 degrees. Large quarry, pleant to see. Rough walk to get into the water.

mrd4598 - 5/03/2020 5:08 PM

As 5/2/2020 it is back open for weekends. Planning on going there next weekend myself.

Vectornut - 6/22/2016 9:51 PM

It is not open. The land has been sold to developers and it is locked up tight.

Pdillard - 6/22/2016 9:35 PM

Hello everyone Is Martha’s Quarry Still open. I remember Fred had som issues withj the owners of some of the land. But is it still open. I would like to plan a dive there over the 4th weekend.

DiverEric - 5/23/2016 3:32 PM

I went scuba diving here on 6/7/2011. Average viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Water temp: 61-65°F/16-18°C.

DiverEric - 5/23/2016 3:31 PM

I went scuba diving here on 6/6/2011. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 61-65°F/16-18°C.

DiverEric - 5/10/2016 4:14 PM

I went scuba diving here on 6/17/2005. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.

DiverEric - 5/10/2016 4:09 PM

I went scuba diving here on 6/1/2008. Average viz: 16-20ft/5-6m. Water temp: 56-60°F/13-16°C.
Went to the Grey Hound bus at the other side of the quarry. Went through a third thermocline and got to the bus and it was soooooooooo cooollld. We couldn’t stay long.

MrGuy - 6/03/2015 8:22 PM

I personally spoke with Fred a good while back about the quarry and he told me he’d sell it if he ever got a good offer... :( I specifically told him that he would disappoint a lot of people if he did. Oh the power of $$$.

Bogdahn6 - 5/06/2015 5:33 PM

A true waste. Heading to Heber Springs next weekend. Heard it was really nice and clear.

Vectornut - 5/05/2015 7:14 PM

Drove by today to check it out. Site is thoroughly gated off with multiple NO TRESPASSING signs. Someone is wasting this piece of property...

Vectornut - 4/20/2015 6:55 PM

Or I could go see if it is fenced off yet... :P

Vectornut - 4/20/2015 6:49 PM

I found the City of Lebanon parcel viewer. It appears the majority is owned by someone called the Vesta Corporation. The other two pieces are owned by Stone Lake, LLC and Burwell Bronwell. I wonder if I can send some emails and see if divers would still be allowed access...

Bogdahn6 - 4/17/2015 2:59 PM

Not a word. Really sad. I’ll try to Google around to see what the local town says.

Vectornut - 4/17/2015 2:30 PM

Any luck getting a call back from Fred? I’d like to hit Martha’s this summer. I heard a rumor he doesn’t own it anymore..I wonder who does...

Bogdahn6 - 4/10/2015 8:49 AM

Fred, I called and left a message. Haven’t heard back as of yet. My son and I want to come out and dive. Can we just come on out?

MrGuy - 3/16/2015 11:13 AM

Any word on Martha’s Quarry yet? Last summer I dove out at the ScubaNashville quarry (they have private quarry in Bellevue..had a blast), but wasn’t sure about Martha’s yet. I spent some time out at Percy Priest as well, but viz was not so wonderful. I live less than a mile from Percy and have a sailboat..soo... thinking about getting out there soon if anyone has any tips on locations to try (?)

WreckDiver01 - 3/17/2015 2:41 PM

I have dove Percy Priest out of Anderson Park area. Dove the area where boats hang out to look for treasure. Had good vis in middle of July.

jack32878 - 3/17/2015 7:25 PM

Never really been diving in Priest but if you decide to go I would be more than than happy to tag along as a buddy. I wouldn’t mind checking out Party Cove as WreckDiver01 mentioned, or really any place for that matter.

finnfalco - 8/06/2014 1:10 PM

I went scuba diving here on 6/9/2012. Average viz: 11-15ft/3-5m. Water temp: 56-60°F/13-16°C.

Belizeit - 6/29/2014 9:50 AM

Madison is closed so far. City of Madison water board owns the quarry so there has to be a new lease every year before it opens. Nobody has come to agreement this year so far. I will post if they somehow come to an agreement and open up.

SmokeyMtnPoBoy - 6/22/2014 6:41 PM

philadelphia quarry is a little south of knoxville and a great spot to dive

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