SCUBA on Lake Mead - Bullhead City, AZ

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SCUBA on Lake Mead

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Lake Mead is a unique freshwater diving area. It offers a wide variety of diving environments for both novice and advanced divers.

The degree of visibility fluctuates throughout the year. During the cool winter months, October to April, visibility is usually good (20 feet to 50 feet). During the summer months, May to September, algae growth is stimulated by warmer water temperatures that results in reduced visibility (30 feet to less than one foot, depending on location and depth.)

Visibility also varies with depth: the deeper one goes, the darker it gets. This is particularly pronounced in the summer months when the thermocline formed by warmer surface waters is present. During the summer months the first distinct thermocline usually occurs near the 30 foot to 40-foot depth. From surface level to 30 feet in depth, the temperature may range from 70 to 82 Fahrenheit, and this layer supports the majority of algae growth.

The second distinct thermocline usually is found near the 60 foot depth. Between 30 feet and 60 feet the temperature ranges from 70 to 60 F with less algae present due to cooler water. Below 60' in depth, the water temperature is 60 to 52 F. At this depth the water is usually clear but much darker in summer than in winter due to the dissipation of the light caused by the presence of algae in the warmer water above.

During the winter there is usually no thermocline, with the entire water column in the low 50 degrees.

There are several exceptions. Where rivers or streams flow into Lake Mead, visibility is poor year round due to high silt content or excessive algae growth. Examples are: Iceberg Canyon where the Colorado River flows into Lake Mead; north of Overton Beach where the Virgin and Muddy Rivers flow into Lake Mead; and Las Vegas Bay near the terminus of Las Vegas Wash. The reverse is true, however, from Hoover Dam to mid-way between Willow Beach and Eldorado Canyon. The colder water released from Hoover Dam (52-55 degrees F) provides clear water and good visibility throughout the year.

Most of the currents in Lake Mead are slow and undetectable. From Hoover Dam to mid-way between Willow Beach and Eldorado Canyon, however, the current ranges from 3 to 12 miles per hour. This current is variable, depending on the volume of water released from Hoover Dam and the water level in Lake Mohave. At Ringbolt Rapids, the speed of the water may reach 16 miles per hour on weekdays.

Navigational and cove name maps are available at Alan Bible Visitor Center and all marinas. Informational boater maps are available online and are not intended for navigational use.

There are dive shops in Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona, which supply equipment sales and rental, instruction, and air.

Facilities: Within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area: Shaded picnic areas with tables, water, fire grills, and restrooms are located throughout the area. Additional available facilities vary within the park. Contact the park or visit the website for more detailed information.

Best Time To Visit: Lake Mead National Recreation Area is open year-round, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Visitor center: The visitor center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Fees: Lake Mead National Recreation Area has entrance and lake use fees. Daily and annual passes can be purchased at the entrance stations.

Accessibility: Areas of the National Recreation Area are handicapped accessible, such as Katherine's Landing on Lake Mohave. Please contact the Recreation Area office for more details.

Rules: Restricted Areas Lake Mead - the following are areas closed to diving: 1. Above and below Hoover and Davis Dams. 2. The portion of the Lower Overton Arm of Lake Mead, from a northern boundary at approximately Latitude N. 36 15' to a southern boundary at approximately Latitude N. 36 10', and from the western shoreline to the eastern shoreline, to be closed to SCUBA and all forms of underwater diving unless a permit has been issued by the Chief Ranger's office. This restriction is necessary to protect sensitive cultural resources while the park formulates a recreational diving management plan to protect the submerged B-29 aircraft. This restriction shall be in effect from January 22, 2004, through January 21, 2005. Requests for permits can be made by contacting the Chief Ranger's office at (702) 293-8908, or by visiting or writing Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters at 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, Nevada 89005. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 3. All designated boat harbors. Divers employed by concessionaires diving on official business and special events approved by the National Park Service are exempt from this restriction. 4. Designated swim areas. 5. Southern Nevada Water Project water intake tunnel and the water intake overhead boom, located on the east side of Saddle Island, just north of Lake Mead Marina and Boulder Harbor. NOTE: The suction in the tunnel is not dangerous at normal water levels (a maximum of 2.6 miles per hour, 585 cubic feet per second at the tunnel entrance), but with all 20 units operating, a possible suction hazard could be present at low lake levels. The top of the tunnel is at 1,050 feet above sea level, and the entrance is 12 feet in diameter with a vertical bar screen with six-inch spaces between bars. At average lake levels, the tunnel is about 110 feet below the surface.

Directions: Visitor Centers and Information Stations: Alan Bible Visitor Center off U.S. Highway 93 near Boulder City, NV. Information stations are located on Lake Mead at Overton Beach, Echo Bay, Callville Bay, Las Vegas Bay in Nevada, and Temple Bar in Arizona. Contact stations on Lake Mohave at Cottonwood Cove in Nevada, Katherine Landing and Willow Beach in Arizona.

Plane Lake Mead NRA is approximately 25 miles from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Other communities bordering and near Lake Mead NRA have smaller airports.

Car There are nine paved accesses into Lake Mead NRA.

Map: Click here for a map to SCUBA on Lake Mead

Reservations: Reservations may be made for some campgrounds at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. See the Lake Mead NRA website for complete details.

Attractions Near
SCUBA on Lake Mead

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
The Colorado River

Address

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

601 Nevada Highway

Boulder City, Nevada 89005

Phone
General: (702) 293-8907

Website