Pineview Reservoir
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Pineview Reservoir is a few miles up Ogden Canyon. Click here for map. The lake is irregular in shape, with fairly steep slopes going down to the water. Agricultural areas and housing are found in the valley surrounding the lake, no doubt contributing to the low visibility of this lake. Altitude is 4,800 feet. Picture: Pineview Reservoir, looking east. Bruce Argyle, October 6, 1998. |
| The Water: The water is deep green and loaded with algae.
Visibility is 3-6 feet. Some areas had a brown "muddy" color. We await word from
other divers about their experiences at this lake. Mid-summer surface temperature is 69
degrees. October 5th temperature was 61 degrees. Daytime darkness was at 35 feet, our
maximum depth was 45 feet. Picture: Mike Engberson amidst the
algae. |
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Services: There are campgrounds and a marina at the lake. A bathroom is found at one obvious dive site, the Pineview Trailhead parking area. Nearest dive services are in Ogden.
Thermal protection: In mid-summer you'll be comfortable in a farmer john and jacket. In early or late season, you'll want to add a hood and gloves.
| What to see: The bottom is mostly rocks with patches of
silt. In the shallows, fine moss grows in patches. No fish came close enough to be seen
through the gloom. Typical underwater scene in Pineview. |
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Crayfish can be found under rocks, but are not as plentiful as many other
sites (such as East Canyon, Soldier Creek,
Flaming Gorge, Red Fleet, or Scofield). If you're after crawdads at Pineview, you should plan
on a night dive. This large old crayfish appears to be blind. |
| Regulations: Sorry, no spearfishing. Fees: Camping fees. There's a fee for the marina/park, but the marina area is NOT a good dive location. |
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Seasonal variation: Pineview is diveable in May through late October. |
| Our recommendation: Pineview isn't someplace you'd seek out for the diving. In this region, you should consider Causey or East Canyon. If you'll be camping at Pineview, it would be worthwhile to take the scuba gear and catch some crayfish at night. |
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Getting there: Click here for map.
Exit I-15 at the Ogden 12th Street (U-39) exit. Go east on U-39 into Ogden
Canyon. You'll arrive at the Pineview dam 11 miles after leaving the freeway. Going north
(left) over the dam, you'll find easy shore access 1 mile later at the Pineview Trailhead
(there's a bathroom there too), GPS N 41° 15.889' W 111° 49.284'. There are several
pullouts along the south shore with a steep hike to the water, or you can carry your gear
to the lake from the campgrounds. Dive site at the Anderson Cove Campground is GPS N 41°
15.140' W 111° 47.223'.
This dive site review was compiled October 1998.
