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Rocky shoals and adjacent deep water habitat are the foundation for the ecological diversity found amidst the Eagle Wing Group. Shallow water predators such as the largemouth bass and northern pike may be seen foraging on bait fishes around the islands. Extensive weed beds of milfoil and other aquatic plants provide optimum cover for such wildlife. Due to the region's extreme depths, deep water fish such as smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge are frequent visitors to the site. Divers can also enjoy the picturesque clustering of Yellow perch and alewife. Approachable freshwater drum, carp and suckers fall under the benthic variety and are often observed amidst the rocky gentle slopes. Submerged 'riverscapes' provide visitors with textbook examples of the region's varied geological features. Traces of the glacial phases and fault lines marbling the vicinity are apparent throughout the Wings. For example, the large planar boulders are perhaps the remnants of a debris field left behind as a glacier receded. An abrupt escarpment on the Eagle Wing's southern perimeter is very likely a fault line illustrating the effects of intermittent seismic activity. From the earliest settlements on Grindstone Island's shores, the Wings have found themselves silent observers of the island community. Throughout the year Grindstone residents shuttle back and forth to Clayton hauling provisions for island life. Local legends tell of boats lost to the Wings' granite teeth in summer squalls, and automobiles lost through the ice in winter. Discover for yourself what remains of these ill-fated crossings resting beneath the River's surface. This small grouping of islands provides rare sanctuary for the New York State threatened species, the common tern. In fact, the Eagle Wing shoals, owned by the Thousand Islands Land Trust, are some of the last natural island nesting sites left in the Thousand Islands. The terns, which look like small, sleek gulls that dive into the water to feed, are extremely sensitive to human disturbance. Please help protect this rare nesting population by keeping all surface activities a minimum of 100 yards from shore. Please use the mooring buoy provided at the site, and never beach or anchor close to the shoals themselves. Dive Site Information
Location: One and one half miles northwest of the Clayton waterfront. The diving season is typically May through mid-October. May to early June and late summer are the best times to dive. Click here to download the diver's guide brochure to this site. (.pdf) Site Markings
Emergency InformationUS Coast Guard Station Alexandria Bay: Dive Site Steward
Save The River! is a non-profit, member-based environmental organization whose mission is to preserve and protect the ecological integrity of the Thousand Islands Region of the St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education and research. As the Eagle Wings site steward, Save The River! maintains the buoys, promotes and interprets the site for the diving and non-diving public. Save The River! received assistance for this project from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors' (PADI) Project Aware and from the 1000 Islands Trust. To learn more about the New York Sea Grant / Seaway Trail Dive Site Steward Program, click here. |
David
White
Recreation/Tourism Specilaist
Email: dgw9@cornell.edu
Phone:
315.312.3042
The Eagle Wings dive site provides all divers with the opportunity to explore geological, historical and ecological diversity of the Thousand Islands region. Unique rock formations grow from gumdrop-like pinnacles and tower over the rocky folds complementing the lunar backdrop. Steep escarpments on both the southern and northern perimeter serve as travel hubs for deep water life as well as fish residing in the meadow-like shallows.
Suggested Dive Route: Descending at the mooring line, travel clockwise around the shoal. For the first part of the dive travel west against the current in about 30' of water. The shoal's northern edge reveals a wall which drops to 80'. Continue to circle the shoal with the current and return into the current to entry point.
Hazards: Weather conditions and unexpected weather changes should be a constant consideration. Strong currents may be present. Recreational and commercial boat traffic.
The mooring buoy provides divers with a safe entry and exit point, while protecting the shoal below. Please use the mooring only for diving and exercise diver etiquette.
Save The River!