Revision 9/05/2016 11:59 AM
|
Millbrook Quarry (aka Lake Millbrook)
 Lat/Long: 38.8234,-77.704, Haymarket, VA 20143
|
Max Depth: 91-100ft/28-30m
Average Viz: 11-15ft/3-5m
Entry Type: Shore
Bottom Composition: Clay/Muck
Aquatic Life: Might See Something
|
Spring: Under 50°F/10°C
Summer: 66-70°F/19-21°C
Fall: 56-60°F/13-16°C
Winter: Under 50°F/10°C
|
|
|
|
Millbrook Quarry is located about 5 miles off of exit 40 on I-66 in Haymarket, Virginia. It is about ten minutes from Manassas, and about 30 minutes from Washington, DC . It is operated and managed by the Coral Edge Adventures (CEA) dive shop in Catharpin, VA. CEA recently obtained the lease for the quarry, and the owners are working hard to improve the facility and grounds. The shop is about 12 miles from the quarry site.
The quarry is open for business from April to November, with "Chilly Willy" dive opportunities offered on two weekends per month during the off-season. It is only open to divers and their guests.
Lake Millbrook currently has three entrance areas or "beaches". The near-surface platform at Beach 1 has been removed and replaced by crushed rock laid out from the beach entrance and graduated/sloped into the water for several feet.
The "beaches" have been renamed as follows:
Beach 1 is Sunset Beach.
Beach 2 1/2 is Adventure Wall.
Beach 3 is Omaha Beach. NOTE: Omaha Beach will not be useable until June 2017.
There are multiple underwater training platforms situated at 30 feet, and are connected to large surface buoys that are clearly visible and accessible. Numerous objects have been submerged and serve as attractions to enjoy and explore. For example, you’ll find an airplane at 70 feet, a Winnebago at 80 feet, and several sunken boats and cars. The granite walls surrounding parts of the quarry provide spectacular underwater drop offs and visually stunning rock formations.
Lake Millbrook is only open on weekends. Access times are from 8am until 6pm on Saturdays, and 8am until 5pm on Sundays. Night diving opportunities are available on selected Saturday nights. Check the online calendar for specific dates and times.
Entry passes/waivers can be obtained and filled out online. Make sure to print out hardcopies and take them with you to present them, and your C-card, at the entrance. There is an extra form to fill if you plan on diving solo. Camping is available on pre-determined nights for $5.00 after Memorial Day, and ends on Labor Day.
There are a couple of Porta-Johns onsite, but other amenities (including a changing shed) are being set up.
Bass, bluegill, and catfish make up the fish population, and they can be seen when the visibility allows. Several years ago, the State of Virginia killed off the invasive zebra mussel population. Since then, the visibility has deteriorated, so that it ranges between 5 to 10 feet within the first 30 feet or so from the surface. As you descend, the thermocline temps become very obvious, ranging in the low to mid-forties year round. The visibility dramatically increases past the thermocline and toward the bottom. During the summer months, the first 20 or 30 feet from the surface warm up to about 65 °F.
For more information about Lake Millbrook and/or Coral Edge Adventures, please visit CEA’s website (
coraledgeadventures.com/).