Dive Site Access
40.91747784990851, -109.42736018245559
Shore or Boat access. Picnic tables, shade, and paved walks make the shore access descent for hanging out for a day of diving. A long swim across the channel to the island can prove taxing on swimmers, and also a bit concerning with boat traffic above, also because there is a boat ramp at the entrance.
Dive Site Features
Cliffs, walls, slot canyons, sunken trees, fishing line and navigational lines seem to exist nearly all the way around the island. Small mouth bass and color variations of small mouth bass can be found here. Some trout have been spotted in the channel in the swim across, deeper than 50′. You can hear the hum of the turbines on the dive, but it can be used for navigation as the hum gets quieter on the north side of the island, away from the dam.
The shallows provide a great dive experience with clearer water, sunlight and small fish to observe. Deeper areas provide slots, swim throughs and narrow canyons which can narrow, leaving you no opportunity to turn around. Be cautious.
Diver Cautions
There is a boat ramp at the entry point, which clearly states “no swimming”, so be enter the water at your own risk away from the boat ramp. This is still a boat ramp area, so watch for boats. Additionally, many skiers, wakeboarders and surfers miss the “no wake zone” markers in the channel, so they’re likely to miss you in the water as well. Bring a buoy and surface only near the island or the shore if possible.
Fishing line covers nearly everything here, stay away from the bottom and have a cutting tool handy if you get hung up. There are swim throughs that appear you can fit through, until you encounter a turn or a bend where you won’t. DO NOT ENTER unless you KNOW you can fit, and get out safely. There is no help for miles and a long swim before you can make a phone call. Don’t enter something you can’t get out of. There’s plenty to enjoy without getting into trouble.
