Rockport Reservoir
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Rockport Reservoir is located between Kamas and Wanship, just off Interstate 80. Click here for map. The lake tends to be crowded on weekends. There are many group areas for reunions and company parties. The shoreline is a combination of rock and sticky mud. Altitude is 6100 feet. Picture: Rockport, looking south from the state park. Bruce Argyle, September 17, 1998. |
| The Water: The water is deep green with strands of
suspended algae. Visibility is 6-8 feet. Mid-summer surface temperature is 68 degrees.
October 2nd temperature was 61 degrees. At our diving sites, we did not encounter a
thermocline. Maximum depth is 50 feet, with daytime darkness at 45 feet. Picture: Typical Rockport bottom, with occasional boulders protruding from the mud flats. Bruce Argyle, Sea & Sea Seamaster Pro EX, 20 mm lens. October 2, 1998 |
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Visibility at Rockport can vary greatly depending on weather conditions. The lake sits in a natural "wind channel." Waves hitting the clay of the shore dump silt into the water quickly (see the picture below). |
| Services: Rockport State Park, on the east side of the lake, has camping, picnic areas, and boat launching. It provides the closest shore access. There are several spots on the west side where you can park along the highway and walk 100-200 feet to the water. 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. Bruce snaps a self-portrait (another advantage of a wide-angle lens). Note algae strands in the water. Sea & Sea MMII, 20 mm lens w YS-60 strobe. |
| What to see: The bottom is mud and rocks. In the
shallows, fine moss covers some rocks. We saw little natural cover and no food sources for
aquatic life. So it wasn't a big surprise that we saw no fish or crayfish despite a lot of
rock rolling and Cheez Whiz chum. About the most interesting thing we saw on this dive. October 6, 1998, Sea & Sea MMII 20 mm lens. |
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Fees: There is a $4 fee for the state park. Seasonal variation: Rockport becomes diveable by late May and stays comfortable until late October. |
| Regulations: Sorry, no spearfishing. Because of the heavy powerboat use, you MUST use a dive flag (or two). |
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Our recommendation: Rockport has little to recommend it. 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. If you're diving this area of the state, consider Mirror Lake and Trial Lake, about 40 minutes away in the Uinta Mountains, with shallow diving among trout. Jordanelle and Echo are nearby, but aren't highly rated dives. |
Getting there: Click here for map.
Salt Lake/Provo: Take I-80 east over Parley's Summit. Continue on to the Wanship
exit. Turn right onto U-32 south and drive two miles to the lake. You'll see potential
dive spots along the west side. The state park is reached by turning left after driving
the length of the lake.
Ogden: Take I-84 eastbound to echo junction, then continue on I-80 west/south. Exit at
Wanship and turn left (south) on U-32. The lake is 1.5 miles south of the exit.
This dive site review was compiled October 1998 by Bruce Argyle, Dominic Bria, and Mike Engberson.
