Tired of a night gambling at the Las Vegas Strip? Want to get away from those infuriating artificial Vegas lights? Well then Las Vegas has some great dive sites to offer the Scuba Diver an escape from the casinos in the form of Lakes Mead and Lake Mohave.
Both Lakes fall under the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, which comprises of the artificially created lakes/reservoirs formed during the creation of the Hoover and Davis dams. Lake Mead was formed when the Hoover Dam was built to dam the waters of the Colorado river.
Both lakes offer divers a unique freshwater diving experience. Visibility on both lakes fluctuates throughout the year with, October to April, visibility being good at 20 to 50 feet, and during the summer months, May to September, algae growth results in reduced visibility 30 feet to less than one foot, depending on location and depth. During the summer months there are two distinct thermoclines that are located at 30-40 feet and the second at 60 feet.
Due to the vastness of both Lakes, there is simply no shortage of dive sites to explore with the exception of a few restricted areas comprising of the areas directly above and below the Hoover and Davis dams, and the water intake tunnels. Some interesting dive sites are
The Rock Slide: which is located in the Black Canyon area and offers a breathtaking view of the Hoover Water depth ranges from 30 feet to as deep as 130 feet. Divers can see dam construction remnants, and can wall dive at the Black Canyon drop off.
The Batch Plant: is the site of a circular washing facility for the concrete that was used to build the Hoover Dam. What is left now is a 12 foot high block wall that is approximately 100 feet in diameter at a depth of 70 feet. A railroad track runs by this site which makes it an even more interesting one.
Boulder Islands: the site of a large cement tank used during construction of Hoover Dam to store water, Also, two 45 foot to 50 foot vessels the Tortaga and the Cold Duck for wreck diving are located here.
Marine life in the lakes comprises of Large Mouth Bass, Blue Gill, Stripers, Catfish, Carp, Shad, Fresh Water Sponges, Fresh Water Jelly Fish, striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, and Rainbow Trout. Other aquatic life includes crayfish and soft shell turtles that make an occasional appearance.
Due to abundant fishing that takes place in these lakes, divers are cautioned to look out for fishing line and hooks snagged underwater, and carry a dive knife or clipper on their dives.
There are dive shops in Boulder City and Las Vegas, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona, which supply Scuba equipment for sale and rental, also provide instruction, and air refills. They also provide you with maps and the best dives sites based on the season and your experience level as a diver.
