2023 Innovation Award Winner

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority

Silver Harbour Dive Park

Exploring nature and our cultural heritage goes beyond the terrestrial boundaries. The LRCA has developed an underwater dive park to allow visitors to discover the underwater world of Lake Superior. Below the surface of Silver Harbour CA are several shipwrecks, sunken to develop an underwater scuba diving attraction and create fish habitat. Increasing concerns of swimmers and divers around the boat launch and docking area prompted the development of Silver Harbour Dive Park. The project was focused on developing a safe entrance that enables divers to directly access the underwater shipwrecks to accommodate the recreational needs of all visitors. The LRCA is the only Conservation Authority to have an official dive park in a conservation area. The project amplified an asset at the CA, rather than prohibiting activities and limiting recreational opportunities, as scuba diving has been deemed a permitted activity.

The LRCA strives for excellence in each conservation area by planning and developing unique recreational opportunities for Lakehead Watershed residents. The Silver Harbour Dive Park project demonstrates implementation excellence as it was sustainably designed with consideration for shoreline erosion, functionality, and aesthetics. The long-term goal is to work with Thunder Country Diving to maintain and upgrade the dive park by adding eco-friendly installations that are also beneficial to freshwater fauna.