Sacramento Lake Diving

[FishDiver]

Well, I am back in California after three years in Sydney, Australia. I could do a boat dive or a few shore dives there and be home by lunch.

I won't be able to drive to Monterey every weekend and I need some local alternatives. Anyone interested in getting wet by diving some local lakes? I don't expect fabulous aquatic life or visibility I just want to keep the gear wet and maintain my skills.

 

[mikemill]

I'm up for it. Though right now Folsom lake is extremely low. Not sure how Natoma is atm.

 

[Anti-Hero]

Lake Natoma, underneath rainbow bridge maintains a pretty constant ~40 ft. depth, visibility varies from 0-15 ft., and current can really rip if they are running the hydro-electric generators up stream.

Normally during the cold season (now) the current isn't too bad, especially in the morning. During the summer the early morning is the only time you can dive.

If your diving when the current is up, there's no skills practice other than hanging onto the rocks.

 

[masterof0]

Im up for it. Have a pretty flexible schedule and always looking for a reason to get in the water.

Just hit Negro Bar this past weekend and vis was about 5ft. Current wasn't too bad. Still a fun dive.

 

[publicsafetyinstr]

A couple of places I would recommend, in addition to what was mentioned already would be: Icehouse, Sly Park.

Sly park was really nice over the summer. they have a marina and the water was really clear. It is drinking water or something like that - so it seems to be maintained quite well. If you go, please let me know how it was... I am down for the year with a broken ankle and damaged knee!

 

[Anti-Hero]

Sly Park sounds interesting, I've been there hundreds of times and never once thought about diving it. It's pretty low too, I don't think it would be considered an altitude dive.

 

[Anti-Hero]

Ah, I stand corrected, the lake is 3500 ft. so it's a low altitude dive

 

[mikemill]

Ahhh and I don't have my altitude diving class

 

[Anti-Hero]

Altitude diver is one of those cash crop specialties, you don't need it. (oops, did I just say that?)

 

[mikemill]

The class:
Turn computer to altitude diving mode
Dive
Enjoy