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The Wee Hawk, also mistakenly known as the Kitty Hawk, lies just upstream of Lock 28, across the river from Ogdensburg, on the west side of Cardinal, Ontario. The Wee Hawk is a 50 foot wood and steel, work barge used in the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and was scuttled in the 1950’s.
To find the site, take the Ogdensburg Bridge to Prescott, then take Route 2 east to Cardinal. Turn right onto Galop Canal Road before you get to Cardinal. It will take you to the bridges to the islands.
There are several different dives that you can do at the site. There are 3 novice to intermediate dives, and a couple of different ways to do the intermediate to advanced drift dives. Maximum depth within the canals is about 12 feet. The current is swift in places in the canal (C) as well as in the river. Remember to use a flag as recreational boaters enjoy running the current as much as divers do, especially through C, D, F, G and H.
A is the easy entry point to the Wee Hawk as well as the canal drift dive as shown below, with the Wee Hawk visible above the water..
B is the Wee Hawk. Do not enter the wreck, it is very easy to stir up the silt and go from great visibility to zero visibility in an instant. It forms a barrier to the current and therefore does NOT clear quickly. On the A side there is no current to speak of, but as you approach C, the current picks up quickly.
C is the quick drift through the canal. Right at C there is some debris in the middle of the canal that breaks the current and attracts large walleyes. Be sure to use a flag!
D is a ladder exit point.
E is the best exit for the canal drift as well as the backwater, N.
F, G and H are swift current back out to the river. It is suggested that you hold on to your partner to prevent getting separated. F (Yellow) will enable you to follow the shore to the quiet bay of J. G (Red) will throw you out into the current of the main channel, which can be swift. H (Blue)  will carry you around the spit to the Conestoga (Green) at O. Watch your air consumption and you are likely to be able to get a quick look at the Conestoga on the same drift. The Conestoga is in 24 feet of water, so hug the shore at 24 feet and you’ll see it. Again, the current can be swift and therefore this should be considered an advanced dive. Use of a flag is mandatory and highly recommended as there can be significant boat traffic through out this dive.
I and K are easy entry and exit point to explore the bay J, formed by filling in the canal. I, J, K form an easy, novice dive with plenty of sea life. Maximum depth is about 24 feet. As a novice, avoid venturing beyond K which could result in being picked up by the current of the channel.
L is an easy entry point to explore the back water spillway to E. The current is minimal. The maximum depth is maybe 12 feet. Best in the spring, it can get pretty weedy by the end of the summer. At the bridge M, there are gates that you can swim over. Some of the gates may be open for a swim through. N is a popular place for fisherman, however there were very few fish there the day we we dove it.
P is the Parking Area.
This area lends itself to multiple shallow water dives providing you with plenty of bottom time, and something for all skill levels. It is very easy to walk the entire site before you suit up to see the dive options and conditions.
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