Site:

Lake Mead

Location:

Lake Mead, Nevada - Nevada-Arizona border, formed by the Hoover Dam across the Colorado River

Dive Type:

Lake - High Altitude Lake

Information: 

Lake Mead Technical Divers (click for more info)


General Information:

• Lake Mead is one of the largest man made lakes in the world with over 157,000 acres of water (247 sq. mi.). When full it can hold over 28 million acre-feet of water (9 trillion gallons), the equivalent to about 2 years of normal average river flow from the Colorado River.
  
  
• It's extremely important to check the forecast before leaving for Lake Mead. Weather forecasts can be obtained by calling (702) 736-3854 for the National Weather Service.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• The nearest recompression chamber is located at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas. 24-hour phone number 702-383-3603
  
  
  

Depth:

500' - Well beyond recreational scuba limits!

Temperature:

• 0-30' (1st thermocline) 70°-82° F
• 30'-60' (2nd thermocline) 60°-70° F
• 60'+ 52°-60° F
  
  

Visibility:

• Oct-Apr – 20'-50'
• May-Sept – 1' -30' depending on location and depth (due to algae bloom)
  
  
  

hings to see:

• Castle Cliffs-Gypsum Reef: good drop-offs, large gypsum and sandstone rocks, visibility variable. Access by boat.
  
  
• Kingman Wash: gentle slope, good for novice divers, occasional heavy boat traffic, visibility variable. Access by boat.
  
  
• Black Canyon: sheer wall diving, depth 500 feet, usually good visibility. Access by boat.
  
  
• Boulder Islands: large cement tank used during construction of Hoover Dam to store water, located off tip of "Big Boulder Island," visibility variable, often heavy boat traffic. Access by boat. Also, two 45 foot to 50 foot vessels have been placed on the bottom for fun and training. (Tortaga and Cold Duck).
  
  
• Dive Park ( North Boulder Beach ): just north of the designated swim beach, gentle slope to 70 foot depth, good training site, visibility seasonally fair to good. Access by vehicle or boat. Boat traffic restricted to dive support vessels. Also, five to ten vessels or other objects have been placed on the bottom for fun and training. Objects are marked with yellow buoys and range in depth from 30 feet to 70 feet.
  
  
• Saddle Island : west side of Saddle Island ( Boulder Harbor side) moderate drop-off, excellent area for freshwater clams in 40-60 feet of water, visibility variable. Access by boat preferable.
  
  
• Wishing Well Cove-Boulder Canyon : excellent location with steep drop-offs, narrow canyon, canyon bottom stair steps from 0-140 feet, usually good visibility. Access by boat.
  
  
• Gypsum Reefs-Virgin Basin: extensive white gypsum reef area with irregular underwater erosion forms, visibility variable. Note: outstanding eroded formations may present unstable overhangs. Access by boat.
  
  
• Cathedral Cove: about 5 miles south of Echo Bay , protected water, usually good visibility, interesting underwater formations. Access by boat.
  
  

• Aquatic Life: Largemouth Black Bass, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Razorback Sucker, Bluegill Perch, Green Sunfish, Threadfin Shad, Carp, Crayfish, Freshwater Sponge, Soft Shell Turtles, Asiatic Freshwater Clam

Diving Hours:

24

Air Fills:

Yes

Local Shops:

Lake Mead Dive Charters:

http://www.lakemeadscubacharters.com/index.html

http://www.divelasvegas.com/pricing.htm

Camping:

Yes

   RV Campgrounds w/ hook-ups:


Boulder Basin

• Lake Mead RV Village at Boulder Beach   -  (702) 293-2540

• Callville Bay Resort  -  (702) 565-8958
  
  

Overton Arm

• Echo Bay Resort  -  (702) 394-4000

• Overton Beach Resort  -  (702) 394-4040
  
  

East Lake Mead

• Temple Bar  -  (928) 767-3211

Lodging

Boulder Basin

• Lake Mead Lodge  -  (702) 293-2074
  
  

Overton Arm

•   Echo Bay Resort  -  (702) 394-4000
  
  

East Lake Mead

• Temple Bar  -  (928) 767-3211

   Traditional Camping - ($10 per site)

Boulder Basin Campground

• Boulder Beach – 154 Sites

• Callville Bay – 80 Sites

• Las Vegas Bay – 89 Sites

  
  

Overton Arm

• Echo Bay – 166 Sites
  
  
  

East Lake Mead

• Temple Bar – 153 Sites

Website:

http://www.nps.gov/lame

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