Arkansas, Missouri and oklahoma

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There is a dive park at lake Tenkiller -Vian, OK. with a few boats and a school bus at shallower depths (20-40), and a helicopter out at around 60 feet. There is an airplane wing out at 100 or so, but I haven't seen it. Entry is easy down a boat ramp, but it gets crowded with classes during dive season. Visability can range from a few feet to upwards of 15 when the scuba Gods smile upon you....maybe a little more. Genes Aqua Pro is on the road and Nautical Adventures has a site in the park for gear and fills. State Park is $5 to get into.

Lake Murray just Southeast of Ardmore has a designated scuba area but it usually gets loads up with swimmers and even boats during busy weekends. If you hit it on a weekday, visability is upwards of 10-15 feet. If it's crowded, you will be diving by brail. There are a couple of platforms, a couple of boats, and a motorcycle to make things interesting. Bring everything you need. The closest dive shop would be Norman about an hour away. It's free.

Lake Elmer Thomas in Medicine Park, just North of Lawton has a dive area next to the dam. You can drop to 90 feet or so but after 40 it is dark and cold. No boats or platforms, but it's closest to me so it's my goto lake when I need a sanity dive. Vis can be 10-15 feet on a good day. 5 feet or so usually. It doesn't get crowded, but you may have fishing boats overhead or people fishing from the dam. Keep your trilobite handy.... there are two identical bass that will sometimes show you around. No dive shop, so bring it all with you. It's free.

I can't help you with the rest, and I'm sure you know about Bonne Terre mines. It's on my bucket list, but just have not at the time lately to justify the drive. I'm 13 hours away from Chicago, so if I'm going to drive 8, I'd rather drive 13 and dive wrecks in the Great Lakes. I dive wet so Bonne Terre may get checked off this winter.

Safe travels,
Jay

On edit...."Good" is a relative term. Visability will never be even close to bad Caribbean visability, there will usually always be a few fish around. Bread in a ziplock bag or cheezewhiz will bring in perch to feed....but watch your earlobes. They can morph into little piranha quickly. The boats and platforms help but if you have dove The carribean or Great Lakes, its definately a major step down. Some people hunt catfish, but that's not my thing. But you are still blowing bubbles, and sometimes that's enough. I tell people I could dive a septic tank and be happy. That's almost true....

Jb.
 
Have you heard of Bonne Terre Mine near St. Louis? I haven't been, but it's sort of a regional draw that's nationally known. If you've got a few days off, might be worth making it a St. Louis family trip, with a day or two dedicated to trying this dive.

Richard.
 
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Beaver lake has some other area like foundations to dive. Check with Lost Creek Marina. Table Rock has some diving, with viz being like Beaver Lake. (Not quite as good) Bull Shoals lake has some nice diving with viz being as good Beaver Lake to sometimes better. Check with Bull Shoals boat dock. (If I remember correctly) Norfork lake has very nice diving with viz as good or better than Beaver lake. Check with Jordan Marina. If you get over towards southern Illinois or Paducah Ky check out Mermet springs. Check them on the web at www.mermetsprings.com
 
Did Oronogo ever re-open?

Sadly, it has not. When I last spoke to the owner, there were no plans to re-open.

It is great to see more posts in this area. Myself and another board member( with a couple more possible) are going to be at Table Rock Saturday. Anyone is welcome.

DW
 
As mentioned, Lake Quachita, Norfork, and Greers Ferry all have much better diving and visibility than Beaver. Quachita and Norfork have published dive site maps and tank fills are easy to get at marinas on the lake. Greers has good visibility but no formal dive site maps. Greers is noted locally for excellent spear fishing with few restrictions compared to other lakes in Arkansas. If you are in NW AR, head over to Bull Shoals and/or Norfork and skip Beaver.

I've had 30+ feet visibility in the Spring, particularly below the thermocline. Boat traffic will significantly drop the vis during lake season.
 

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