The Pool
Pool deck level: Perrine Bridge, Shoshone Falls, Birds of Prey
15 feet: Crystal Mine Shaft, Minnetonka Cave, Hagerman Fossil Beds
30 feet: Ski Underwater Idaho; Mountain Hot Springs, Mountain Camping, Mercantile
Craters of the Moon, City of Rocks, moveable objects, Miner’s Cabin (dry room), Miner’s cemetery
72 feet: Freak Alley, Stratigraphy of Idaho
104 feet: Star Garnet (mined in Idaho)
The Facility’s Attractions
Idaho Underwater’s facility is designed in a two-pool structure, the first is a circular diving-pool (100’ diameter) with a second teaching-pool (50' X 100') encased within a 80,000 square foot custom building with comfortable classrooms, indoor heated dive pool, full retail/dive floor, repair/maintenance shop, a café, and a large private parking lot. The new facility is designed to spoil customers and to be conveniently located in Meridian, Idaho. Total water volume is approximately 2.9 million gallons.
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Idaho Underwater is NOT a swimming pool; it is an interactive attraction and teaching-pool showcasing Idaho’s history and natural landscapes. Using Idaho’s natural geological elements, the pool provides a storybook of multiple, changing adventures for divers and water enthusiasts to explore.
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The teaching-pool contains 3.5 foot depths on both ends with a 15' center depth, ideal for training new divers to scuba techniques. New certifications and diver refresh classes will be conducted in this area of the facility.
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Individuals of all ages can experience the attraction’s features through scuba, snorkeling or freediving. Surface-supplied air makes trying scuba easy. Multiple interactions are incorporated into the pool’s design to exemplify Idaho’s natural resources and history. Use of the facility allows all customers to experience Idaho in ways never before possible. For example, divers and water enthusiasts can walk across a replica of the Perrine Bridge (Twin Falls) that transverses the pool or take in the breath-taking Shoshone Falls, the Niagara Falls of the West.
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The diving-pool itself contains multiple depths to accommodate different diving activities. For instance, exploratory and beginning scuba classes require pool sections that range from 3.5 feet to 25 feet of depth for students to learn the necessary skills using the dive equipment, such as buoyancy control, breathing and sharing air through a regulator, and clearing water from a mask. The water depth is critical for these courses to provide a level of safety needed for learning the basics as prescribed by the certifying organizations, such as PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), SSI (Scuba Schools International) and NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors).
The next depth needed to continue advancing through the diving certification levels is at least 70 for the Advanced Open Water certification. The 70 foot depth allows the student to experience the depth and pressure at which nitrogen narcosis begins to take place. At this critical depth, the student learns the significance of “safety stop time” (a period of up to five (5) minutes at a depth of 12-15 feet below the surface) to allow the body to “off gas” the chemical change in the body that results from diving.
Additional depths are needed to provide for fun, adventure, and earning even more complicated diving certifications. The 104.9 foot inner cylinder depth introduces the diver to the 5th atmosphere of pressure, where air volume is significantly less (1/5 of the atmosphere), and gas dissolution into tissue is greater. This creates an environment in which certified divers can safely venture into more advanced decompression models in a controlled environment. Additionally, that deep depth and pressure also allows more advanced, technical divers to hone skills such as dive planning with mixed gasses and extended decompressions stops.
To maintain water purity in a chemically-free facility, the pool has put in place a multi-layered filter technology which is capable of purifying the entire water in a span of about six hours. Moreover, the pool deck is contained within a UV-filtered glassed room minimizing the water wastage caused by natural sunlight. The temperature in this room is kept at around 83 degrees Fahrenheit so that the water does not heat up and evaporate.
Diving-pool Attraction Description
The first landscape exists between 4.75 feet (1.5m) and 10.5 feet (3m). A diver enters the abandoned Crystal Gold mine where precious metals were once mined. The gold mine has several entrances/exits throughout its over 150-foot shaft.
The mine’s main entrance features the dilapidated wood supports around railroad tracks approaching
the mine entrance, elevated on a train trestle. Upon entering, the diver encounters a mining car entering another vein of the mine. This first portion of the shaft is 18 feet long with the walls sparkling with typical mining metals and gems, typical of Idaho. The mountains of Idaho contained veins of gold, silver, lead, zinc, cobalt, copper, platinum, and many other rare minerals - including gems like the star garnet, jasper, opal, jade, topaz, zircon, and tourmaline. This is why Idaho is known
as "The Gem State." 3
Just inside the mine entrance, the structure exhibits the many fossils (Hagerman horse, North American Camel, mastodon tooth, beaver paw, etc.) found at the Hagerman Fossil beds 50 miles south of Boise. An exit/entrance from the shaft occurs 8 feet into the mine
Figure 1 Tooth
The shaft then steers the diver to a deeper portion of the shaft to 25 feet. This portion of the shaft presents “stalactites and stalagmites” for the diver to explore, mimicking a natural environment.
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An exit/entrance from the shaft occurs near the middle of this 57-foot
portion. It replicates the strong vaults that were built into banks that held the precious gems, along with the abundance of gold. Around this shaft entrance/exit will be stacks of gold bars and bags of gold coins embedded on shelves and in wall crevices. A sign says, “I struck gold at Idaho Underwater”.
The mine shaft ends by entering a dry room resembling a miner’s cabin that is a 13 by 13 room, submerged 18 feet underwater. The diver surfaces to rest above the dive water level and sits on benches or chairs next to a small table. The diver can observe water enthusiasts in the pool or café patrons through viewing windows. The cabin is equipped with miner’s lanterns that can be dimmed or brightened from the security control room. A pot-belly stove that radiates the glow of burning embers sits in the corner. The miner’s cabin is equipped with cameras to provide security control with a view into whom and how many divers have taken a pause, along with audio communication and a “panic” button for emergencies.
When ready to submerge again, the diver can either retrace their path back through the mine shaft or escape into the deeper pool depth of 32.9 feet (10m). When exiting the miner’s cabin, the diver is on a large, flat rock that extends 4 feet over the outer deep cylinder. The diver can remain at this 32.9 foot level or, if appropriately certified, descend into the deeper pool area. The rock outcropping continues up the exterior pool wall, up to the grotto behind the Shoshone Falls area (see details later in the description). On the wall coming out of the miner’s cabin area is a school of fish, heading into the depths of the pool. The area surrounding the miner’s cabin is a cemetery containing many unknown miners’ graves.
The mine shaft will be equipped with “tie off” markers for teaching the fundamentals for cave diving certification. This certification is the first step needed to move onto technical cave diving certifications.
The second interactive attraction lies directly under the trestle entrance to the Chrystal Gold mine. A diver enters this area by swimming through the trestles into the “hot springs” area. The hot springs are nestled next to the outer pool wall with a framed scene behind. The springs house boulders and natural materials similar to those springs that exist in the mountains of Idaho. The springs (in the mountains) are fed by geothermal water. Visitors can simulate sitting in these natural springs and initiate a photo to be taken for purchase later. The framed scene changes throughout the year to provide a new opportunity for frequent divers.
The third interactive attraction is next to the hot springs area. This area is the campground area. On the wall is a background of evergreen trees. A campfire, with simulated flames, sits in the middle of the scene. Several campfire chairs surround the fire. Hanging from the ceiling is a tree swing for divers to sit in and swing. Divers can initiate a campfire photo for purchase later.
The fourth attraction interaction is next to the campground area. The “I Skied in Idaho Underwater” attraction features a chairlift attached to the back wall with a framed scene behind. Divers can sit in the chair lift and initiate a photo to be taken for purchase later. The framed scene changes throughout the year to provide a new opportunity for frequent divers. At the front of this area is a set of snow skis and poles affixed permanently to the floor of the pool. Divers can stand on top of the skis and grab the ski poles, like they are actually skiing in the pool. Divers can initiate a photo for purchase later.
The fifth attraction interaction is to the right of the hot springs area and underneath the training shelf. The “Mercantile” contains many of the items that used to be sold at the boom towns general stores. Divers will see grocery items like sugar, flour, and spices, along with cigars, tobacco, candy and hardware items needed by miners and pioneers. The shelves and bins will remind participants of
everything that was available in these general stores. The double-doors are decorated with tin sign advertising. A diver can mail a post card from the
mercantile by making a selection at the back of the store’s postal center. In front of the mercantile stands a typical 19th century wagon that hauled a settler’s belongings and food purchases from the mercantile. On the wagon are bushels of potatoes, barrels of gunpowder, and bags of flour.
The high pool wall directly above the miner’s cabin area is the Shoshone Falls scenic panorama. High above the pool surface is a rocky crag area with water falling directly over the rocks; creating a splendid waterfall into the deepest part of the pool. At the pool’s edge is a protected walkway behind the falling water in which a grotto area has been created where non-divers can observe the attraction through a 4 x 4 foot window at their feet. Rock structures prevent the non-divers from entering the pool area. The ceiling of
the grotto depicts a starry night in Idaho.
Within the deeper depths of the pool are movable objects that will provide an ever-changing scene underwater. These movable objects include things like a giant rocking chair, kayak, sunken boat, gold panning equipment, old wagon wheel, fishing poles, pickax, dairy cows, and Yellowstone bison. These items that can be placed in any depth, from 26 feet (8m) to 104 feet (32 m). Permanently in this area of the pool is the Wallace, Idaho-“Center of the Universe” street marker. Next to this section of the center floor is a river of molten lava that flows eventually into the large cylinder.
Three other key landscape elements exist within the attraction. On the wall opposite Shoshone Falls are the large windows from the main entrance into the facility. These windows provide natural light into the pool and offer a visual of the entire pool surface to the visitor. In homage to the many “birds of prey” in Idaho, a lone nest is seen skirting the highest window on the left. This feature will change on a regular basis to depict the many birds that frequent the Treasure Valley (peregrine falcons, vultures, kestrels, ospreys, red-tailed hawks, and eagles). Idaho Underwater will work directly with Boise’s “World Center for Birds of Prey” to make this element factual and up-to-date.
Above the water, people embrace a functioning I. B. Perrine Bridge over the expanse of the pool. The Perrine Bridge is a feature of Twin Falls, Idaho. Spanning the Snake River Canyon, where the daring Evil Knievel attempted a motorcycle jump in 1974, the Perrine Bridge is approximately 1,500 feet (457 m) in total length, with a main span of 993 feet (303 m) and a deck height of 486 feet (148 m) above the Snake River. It is the eighth highest bridge in the United States. The elevation, above sea level for the bridge deck, is approximately 3,600 feet
(1,100 m)2, attracting hundreds of “base jumpers” every year from all over the world. Base jumpers hurdle themselves from the side of the bridge and release a parachute to glide down to the dirt below. A skilled scuba diver will be able to jump from a specially built platform on the Perrine Bridge attraction into the pool below, but without the need for a parachute!
The long wall, opposite the dive center, is a 21’ by 57’ painted mural of Idaho’s prairie land. This mural features the natural scenes found on the Camas Prairie, the vast potato fields of eastern Idaho, and the multiple mountain ranges within the State.
At 59 - 72 feet (18-22m) and left of the deep cylinders, the diver will encounter the City of Rocks, located near Almo, Idaho. Several structures will provide a massive visual of the natural volcanic elements of this southern Idaho location. Divers can swim through the arch and explore the enormous rock features formed by volcanic lava plutons that provide excellent rock climbing in the real world.
The deepest part of the pool is actually two cylinders; one inside the other. The widest cylinder is 34 feet (10.5m) in diameter. This cylinder starts at 32 feet (10m) and goes to a depth of 72 feet (22m). Inside of this cylinder is another 18 foot-side (5.5m) cylinder that continues down to the final depth of 104.9 feet (32m). The two cylinders have 12 feet (3.5m) of space separation. This provides ample space for advanced, certified divers to explore even further.
Molten lava flows surround the front side of the largest cylinder, originating on the wall opposite and snaking through the center of the floor to the cylinder. This “Craters of the Moon” feature continues down the entire side of the outer cylinder. On the wall, opposite the lava flow within the outer cylinder, represents paintings like what exists in downtown Boise, Idaho called Freak Alley. “The Northwest’s largest outdoor mural gallery started in 2002 when local artist Colby Akers painted the back door of Moon’s Kitchen Cafe. His art sparked interest
among neighboring businesses who wanted him to continue. Akers collaborated with other local artists to paint the alleys of the 8th Street corridor and, thus, Freak Alley was born. Every year in late summer, local artists gather to repaint the alley, bringing new art, and another year of life to Freak Alley.”9
Interwoven between the two cylinders are additional attraction features and alley ways in and out of the two cylinders. For instance, an area of the inner cylinder space is like seeing the stratigraphy (layers of the earth) typical of Idaho.
​At the very bottom of the deepest cylinder is a pulsating Idaho Star Garnet. Only the certified, experienced divers will be able to experience this amazing feature due to its depth. The star garnet was designated the official state stone or gem of Idaho in 1967. More precious than either star rubies or star sapphires, the Idaho garnet is usually dark purple or plum in color, with four rays in the star (occasionally the star has six rays, as in a sapphire).3 The Star Garnet is found in only two places in the world. One is in India and the other is in Emerald Creek, Idaho. Emerald Creek produces more 6-point star garnets than anywhere else in the world. Idaho also has other precious gems mined within the State, like amethyst and opal that is mined in eastern Idaho.
The use of a submarine ping will be used within the pool to signal to all divers that they need to stop and check their depth computers to make sure they are allowed to be where they are. This mechanism allows the staff to trigger awareness among divers without creating an emergency. The speakers, embedded within the pool, will also be used for piping in various music scenarios needed on “pool night” for members.
