Mermet Springs, Illinois

Mermet Springs, an 8.5-acre spring-fed former stone quarry in Southern Illinois, is dedicated to diving and dive training, and has underwater training platforms as well as an anchored boat for practicing boat diving skills. The quarry has 100-foot walls and wooded hills encompassing nearly half its perimeter. Sunken treasures abound: Cessna airplanes, a school bus, semitrailer truck and the Boeing 727 airplane used in the movie "U.S. Marshals." On-site camping for divers is allowed Friday and Saturday evenings.

Depths to: 120 feet (36 m)

Visibility: From 15 to 60 feet, (5 to 18 m)

Water temperature: Ranges from 40 F (5 C) in the winter to the mid-80s F (30 C) in the summer.

Marine life: Albino catfish, bass, crappie, perch, sturgeon and paddlefish.

Fees: $15 for divers, $5 for nondivers and $5 for campers. The "scuba package" costs $45 on weekdays and $70 on weekends and covers tanks, weights, hood, gloves, wet suit, buoyancy compensator and regulators with gauges.

On-site amenities: Dive store, access ramps, a chairlift for handicapped divers, gear racks, docks with stairs for easy entries and exits, shower, changing rooms, picnic shelters and campsites.

More info: Call (618) 527-DIVE, e-mail mermet@accessus.net or visit www.mermetsprings.com.

Open: Six days a week from April to November, and five days a week from December to March; closed in January.C-cards are required.

Getting there: From Interstate 24, take exits 14 or 16 in Vienna, or exit 37 at Metropolis, onto U.S. 45. Drive south about 10 miles. The entrance is west of U.S. 45.