Blue Lake Diving

[PinkPADIgal]

I am going to be doing some training dives in Blue Lake in mid Feb and I wanted some info from the people who dive it regularly. I have done limited amount of lake dives (I normally dive in Puget Sound) and I want to be prepared.

How far is it from Boise?

What is it like?

What is around the lake for food and lodging?

I have been told to bring my drysuit. What about gloves and hood?

Any other info that you can provide would be great!!!

Thanks!

 

[RonFrank]

Is THIS the Blue Lake you are talking about? If so this site may help.

I've never done it, but it looks interesting. It's a long drive from the Denver area.

 

[shellim123]

I am going to be doing some training dives in Blue Lake in mid Feb and I wanted some info from the people who dive it regularly. I have done limited amount of lake dives (I normally dive in Puget Sound) and I want to be prepared.

How far is it from Boise?

What is it like?

What is around the lake for food and lodging?

I have been told to bring my drysuit. What about gloves and hood?

Any other info that you can provide would be great!!!

Thanks!

There are casinos about 7 miles away with food and lodging. I would bring a hood and gloves. From the parking lot it is a long walk all geared up to the lake across pallets.

There is no where to change and the outside temp will be cold when you get out of your gear.
I have NEVER seen the vis between 15-20 feet! The best I have ever seen was 3-4 feet. That is not typical though. More like 6"-2 feet.

 

[Desert Pirate]

Im not sure how far from blue lake is from boise, i usually come from the other direction. It is about 1/2 hour from Wendover... That makes it roughly.. 4 hours? look at your map is about the best I can tell you. for food and accomodatins, wendover is your only nearby town.

The lake is a small oasis in the middle of nothing, there are no trees or any facilities around, sometimes there might be a club that has set up a wind break, or brought a large tent or camper that can help... there are no fills, We bring a compressor, or several tanks. I never have hit up the wendover fire dept about filling from their scba system, but if you have the proper fittings you could try that. the nearest Dive shop to the lake to my knowledge is Bonneville Sea Base, about 2 hours west of wendover? So come prepared!

Medical assistance, if you need is from wendover, and is SLOW! Last year our club had an underwater heart attack, and they were well over 1/2 hour from scene. but we were lucky and he made a full recovery. : ) your closest chamber I believe is in SLC.

The lake itself is a pretty good dive, considering other divers havnt silted up the bottom. Clarity can be from 20ft to mud... the temperature is in the low to mid 70s. never dove it in the winter, so I cant say how much it fluctuates... Depths range from 6-70 ft. and you are at elevation, so adjust properly, there are alot of "redneck art" at the bottom, some of them are quite impressive, and others not, but it makes for an intersting experience. As far as diving, no nead for a drysuit, ive always wore either a 5 or a 7 and never even gotten chilled. The bottom of the lake is fed by natural hotsprings, and you can warm up verry easily.. but i would bring a dry suit because there is nothing to protect you from the elements on your surface intervals, and the wind can get terrible out there.

hope this helps a lil, if you need driving directions from wendover, gps coordinates or what ever, let me know.

Clay