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Scuba Divers Recycle Christmas Trees and Help the Aquatic Environment

John Flanders, Phoenix Scuba Diving Examiner
January 14, 2010
jflanders@academyofscuba.com

Lake Pleasant's Artificial Reef Program Continues This Weekend!

Inland Water Divers, located in Goodyear, in partnership with the Lake Pleasant Regional Park are spearheading the continuation of the Christmas tree reef project.

The project started last year has proven to be a huge success for the local dive community as well as the local fish population. Inland Water Divers and a host of other local dive community volunteers organized the sinking of about 1 dozen Christmas trees last January in Lake Pleasant. The intent was to form an "artificial reef" which will become a home and feeding ground to the local fish population. Artificial reefs are used in fresh and salt water around the world. These are man-made objects and usually a good way to recycle old, unusable products. Everything from tires to battleships have been used to create artificial reefs.

The current reef is in about 40 feet of water (this changes as the lake levels go up and down) and is home to an abundance of karp, bass, and catfish. Christmas trees are a great choice for an artificial reef, because it is an environmentally sound way to get rid of the trees and the algae needed for fish feeding grows naturally on the branches.

Pete Wastak, NAUI Course Director at Inland Water Divers and one of the organizers, expects a banner year again this year. Over 30 people have volunteered to help out and that does not include a group of divers that usually just "show up" at these types of events. It is expected that the size of the reef should double this year.

The organizers of the Christmas Tree Reef project ask that you please hold on to your Christmas tree and donate it for a good cause. For that matter grab your neighbor's, after they are done with it of course. This year's event is scheduled for 8am on Saturday, January 16th at Biesemeyer Point. This schedule is subject to change due to weather.

Divers interested in participating in this worthwhile environmental project MUST pre-register with Inland Water Divers prior to the date of the event.