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Location: |
The Wichita Mountains will provide you with breath taking beauty from not only clear
clean air, but the wildlife that roams free. The buffallo, deer, elk, long horned cattle and much more.
The Witchita Mountains are full of history, and it only takes a little imagination to hear the sounds of cattle being driven across the plains, the songs sand by native american children from the seven (7) civilized tribes. The trumpets from the cavalry as it patrolled the once badlands; of the Oklahoma Teritory. The occassional gun fire from bandits chasing stage coaches across the praires. Many displays can be seen at the Witchita Mountains vistors complex ranging from wildlife, birds, miners just to mention a few. Mount Scott provides an almost endless portrait of Lawton, Fort Sill, Witchita Mountains (with it's many lakes) and the SW Oklahoma landscape from atop it's peak.
 The Holy City located in the Witchita Mountains has been putting on the Easter Passion play for more than 70 plus years and it is performed in rain sleet, high wind, cold weather and just about everything you can imagine, but the play goes on. Medicine Park became a hot spot in Oklahoma in the early 1900 and well into the 40's as a gathering place for many of Oklahoma's rich and well to do families, as well as outlaws, moonshiners and bootleggers. The Old Platation was the place to eat at for years, but time took it's toll and was shut down.
Many little shops have opened up for the tourist and motor cycle riders. Chaps My Ass is the local biker shop which houses apparrel and knick knacks (the hardcore as well as the want-to-be weekend rider will find this a must stop every time he or she comes through). The River Side cafe is the divers stop for eats and debriefing from a day of diving. The local atmosphere and one man band, set the tone for a way to unwind during a moderately priced meal. It's not uncommon (if the river is up and moving) to see the local kids swimming in the same water hole as the rich and famous did in the 20's, 30's and 40's. As you enjoy your meal, you can see the cat fish, ducks, geese, and turtles swimming below you and this helps keep the little ones entertained. Meers is located just West through the Witchita Mountains and North of the Holy City (just follow the signs). This is a place to take that person who seems never to get enough to eat...(trust me)...the Meers burgers are ledgendary. The cost is very reasonable and the history that lays within is worth while to see. The Meers store houses the only rictor scale in SW Oklahoma as it sets atop the Meers fault. Divers who prefer to have a quick meal to go can hit the local grocery store located just 5 miles south of Medicine Park at the Witchita Mountains Estates entrance. You can get fuel, snacks and wash your vehicle. If you want a sonic burger king or subway, you need to travel no further than another three (3) miles south of the witchita mountains estates towards the I-44 entrance.
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Temperature: |
The water temp at surface is around 46° F in WINTER. There is no thermocline or water temp change from surface through 65' (3 atmospheres). During the summmer when the air temp is 95° F and the water temp at surface is around 78° F. The thermocline at 35' is about 69° F, at 55' it's about 60° F, and at 78' it is about 53° F (now that is up next to the dam - the are NO gates located near the bottom, and only one gate located near the top on the South East side of the dam...so dive from the North side) ...It is cold even with a 3/2 mil wet suit and some divers wear a 5mm and still opt to come to surface after 10 minutes on the bottom.
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Air Fills: |
 Air fills are available Monday-Saturday at Dive Pros
Dive Pros is owned and operated by Ed Hewitt. Ed is a Naui certified instructor and equipment tech. Dive Pros can fill your air tanks with air or nitrox
Rental equipment is also available, but must show C-card. Dive Pros has a wide assortment of dive gear, suits, masks, fins, cameras and misc. items priced to fit just about anyones budget. Ed can book your dream dive trip just about anywhere you want to go....a second honeymoon, summer vaction, or a spontaneous getaway for a few days.
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The visibility near the dam will vary with the season...Summer is 10-20 ft and Winter is 10-30ft. All light is lost at 45-50 feet so bring a bright light.
The lake is only open from 9:00 am until (around 8:00pm in the summer / 5:30 or 6:00pm in the winter) 30 minutes prior to sunset.