Divers Seek Sunken Treasures in Lake Ronkonkoma

Using sonar technology, a Nesconset-based diving school has been busy taking a broad survey along the bed of Lake Ronkonkoma and diving to retrieve the most interesting artifacts.

Bill Pfeiffer, an instructor at Island Diving, along with about 50 volunteers, have been mapping the floor of the lake since late April, according to this Newsday article.

The diving began, according to the article, when one of Pfeiffer's friends alarted him to the fact that he had a $3,000 sonar scanner mounted to the hull of his boat. Pfeiffer began to map the entire bed, and claims the sonar is so effective he can literally pick up the ripples in the sand.

"There are plenty of stories about Model Ts being pushed into the water. Every time I dive down here, an old timer comes over and tells me stories," Pfeiffer said in the article. His team is working to bring up any things that might be harmful to the environment, like car batteries.

The oddest find at the bottom of the lake? Coconuts. Likely thrown into the water back when the resorts around the lake were serving up pina coladas to its guests.

Pfeiffer told Patch he will be heading out to the Atlantic Ocean for a number of days, but will be returning to the lake to perform high definition video recording some time in late July, conditions permitting.