Fortune Pond is a former quarry that is part of the Iron County Heritage Trail in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Before the water pumps were turned off and water was allowed to fill the mine, it produced 1.3 million tons of iron ore from 1953 to 1958. It had one shaft with two drifts used to drain the 210-foot-deep pit. Pumps worked 24 hours a day to keep the open pits and tunnels dry. The pit is 1,930 feet long by 750 feet wide. The dive site includes a training platform, knick-knacks left by divers, lots of rocks and remnants of its mining past. Fortune Pond is now owned by the State of Michigan and maintained by the state Department of Natural Resources.
Depths to: More than 200 feet.
Visibility: 60-70 feet.
Water temperature: A thermocline awaits about 35 feet below the surface.
Aquatic life: Includes, brown trout, crayfish, turtles.
On-site amenities: Restrooms, picnic area, fishing pier and a paved parking lot. A few miles to the east along U.S. Highway 2 is Crystal River, which offers lodging and dining amenities. Iron River, Michigan, is another option. It too connects with U.S. Highway 2 but to the west of Fortune Pond.
Fees: None.
More info: Visit , or .
Getting there: Fortune Pond is three-fourths of a mile north of U.S. Highway 2 on New Bristol Road, two miles west of Crystal Falls, Michigan.
with two drifts used to drain the 210-foot-deep pit. Pumps worked 24 hours a day to keep the open pits and tunnels dry. The pit is 1,930 feet long by 750 feet wide. The dive site includes a training platform, knick-knacks left by divers, lots of rocks and remnants of its mining past. Fortune Pond is now owned by the State of Michigan and maintained by the state Department of Natural Resources.