Submerged treasures vary and include sunken small crafts, ancient tree stumps, snagged fishing gear, large trout, or inquisitive schools of small fish. Catching fresh crawdads for barbecuing at a nearby picnic facility, camping facility or staying at lakeside resorts while taking in the lake scenery -- above and below -- make a perfect retreat for divers.

The Lakes and Reservoirs section includes notations for favorite diving lakes (Donner, Spaulding, Jackson Meadows, and Gold). These smaller lakes: Packer, Upper Salmon, Meadow, and White Rock, offer modest diving opportunities. Other lakes not listed generally have limitations such as reduced clarity, shallow depths, or access problems. Still others are waiting to be discovered -- underwater.

Mountain lake diving requires knowledge and training to compensate for the altitudes of lakes well above sea level. Diving and ascension tables must also consider altitudes. In addition to the reading resources we’ve recommended under Lakes and Reservoirs, we encourage divers to join groups of fellow enthusiasts such as the Scuba Bums of Nevada City/Grass Valley. Contact them through Blue Planet Diving at (530) 272-8295.

UNDERWATER DIVING LAKES:

In this immediate area the diving opportunities are limited but the following lakes offer the most fun.

......Donner Lake:

Good diving up to 200’ depth, with visibility excellent in the 20’- 40’ range. Excellent shoreline facilities rank this diving area second only to nearby Lake Tahoe. Donner is the most popular lake in our backyard. Three dive sites: at the boat launch on the west end, China Cove on east side, and Shoreline Park on north side. Diving attractions include big crawdads, tree stumps over 500 years old, sunken sailboat, and large trout. Beware of high-speed boats.

......Gold Lake:

Fair, with 20’-30’ visibility; no services along the shoreline except for boat launch, picnicking, and camping areas. Gold Lakes Lodges is within ½ mile of the lake.

......Jackson Meadows Reservoir:

Fair, up to 180’ depth, with 20’-30’ visibility; no services except campgrounds. Submerged foundations of a mid-1800s ranch off the East Meadow Campground provide an interesting attraction.

......Spaulding Reservoir:

Fair to good, up to 400’ depth with variable visibility. Attractions: large fish, bottom contours, and tree stumps. Folklore says there’s a logging train engine lying on the bottom, but no underwater sightings reported.

......Other Lakes:

Packer, Upper Salmon, Meadow, and White Rock Lakes offer fair opportunities but have limited visibility, are small, or are remote.

Campgrounds with Underwater Diving opportunities

Best Good

Lakes with Underwater Diving opportunities

Good

Reservoirs with Underwater Diving opportunities

Best Good