Echo Reservoir
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Echo Reservoir is located at the intersection of Interstate 80 coming east from Salt Lake and I-84 eastbound from Ogden. Click here for map. The lake is fairly small and is crowded on weekends. The only shore access is through the state park. Altitude is 6100 feet. GPS of our dive site was N 40° 51.658' W 111° 24.612'. Picture: Echo Reservoir, looking north. In the foreground is the mountain bike trail -- continuous from the Park City area. Bruce Argyle, September 17, 1998. |
| The Water: The water is deep green with strands of
suspended algae. Visibility is 4-7 feet. Mid-summer surface temperature is 69 degrees.
October 2nd temperature was 64 degrees. We did not encounter a thermocline. Maximum depth
is 35 feet. Picture: Gary cruises through the gloom. |
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There are few natural coves or other features that keep motorboats off your head. Much of the lake is shallow, and unreachable except by boat. The area that is shore-accessable is in a high-traffic area at the state park. Visibility tends to improve later in the year, but is never great.
| Services: Echo State Park, on the east side of the lake, has camping, picnic areas, and boat launching. It is the ONLY shore access to Echo, unless you want to bike your scuba gear up the trail. Nearest dive services are in Ogden or Salt Lake City. |
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Thermal protection: A farmer john and jacket should keep you warm in the summer. In early or late season, you'll need to add a hood and gloves. |
| What to see: The bottom is mud and rocks. In the
shallows, fine moss covers some rocks. There wasn't much to see except a few cans and
bottles, and a couple of small lonely crayfish under rocks. A crawdad backs away after being rousted out from his rock. Bruce Argyle, Sea & Sea MMII 20 mm lens, YS-60 strobe. |
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Regulations: Sorry, no spearfishing. Because of the heavy
powerboat use, you MUST use a dive flag (or two). Fees: There is a $4 fee for the state park. |
Seasonal variation: Echo becomes diveable by late May and stays comfortable until late October.
| Our recommendation: If you have a reason to go there -- such as a lake party with friends -- then take the scuba gear along to work out your finning muscles. But don't expect a high voltage dive. Because shore access is limited to the area of greatest motorboat and jet ski traffic, diving here is best restricted to weekdays. Alternatives: Nearby lakes Jordanelle and Rockport also have little to see and heavy boat traffic. East Canyon has heavy boat traffic, but better visibility and tons of crayfish. 45 minutes away, Trial Lake offers shallow but nice diving among trout. |
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Getting there: Click here for map.
Salt Lake/Provo: Take I-80 east over Parley's Summit. Continue on to the
Coalville exit. Turn left at the main street in town and drive about 7 miles north to the
state park.
Ogden: Take I-84 eastbound to echo junction, then continue on I-80 east. Exit at the Echo
Lake off-ramp about one mile later and drive south to the park.
This dive site review was compiled October 1998 by Bruce Argyle, Dominic Bria, and Mike Engberson.
