Lake Keechelus

General banter about diving and why we love it.
Post Reply
Nwcid
Extreme Diving Machine
Posts: 459
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:00 pm

Lake Keechelus

Post by Nwcid »

Has anyone every dove this lake? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keechelus_Lake

I drive by here quite often and wonder if it would be any fun to dive. I am not sure what life is down there but probably little since it is fresh water.

What I do see lots of is cool stumps and structure when the water is down.

Anyone ever done this dive?
John

Check out my site, http://scubadivesites.webs.com/
User avatar
LCF
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5697
Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 5:05 pm

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by LCF »

No, but like you, I drive past it several times a month and always wonder what it would be like to dive. I doubt there is anything really fascinating down there, but the viz might be pretty good. We should make a date to give it a try!
"Sometimes, when your world is going sideways, the second best thing to everything working out right, is knowing you are loved..." ljjames
Nwcid
Extreme Diving Machine
Posts: 459
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:00 pm

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by Nwcid »

Sounds like a great plan. Problem is the water is down now so all the stumps are exposed. I am guessing in the spring the vis would suck due to lots of run off. In the winter it would be an ice penetration dive.

So when would the best time to try be? I am game.
John

Check out my site, http://scubadivesites.webs.com/
User avatar
thefeve
Compulsive Diver
Posts: 361
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:24 am

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by thefeve »

"The name Keechelus comes from an Indian term meaning "few fish", in contrast to Kachess Lake, whose name means "more fish".[2]"

Might be a sign there isn't much to see... But heck, why not take a look!
I think you've figured out the root cause of your problems. Even sea lions get annoyed by splitfin divers silting out their dive sites. Switch back to your jets and you'll be safe from the sea lion silt prevention patrol from now on. - NWbrewer
Nwcid
Extreme Diving Machine
Posts: 459
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:00 pm

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by Nwcid »

Not expecting to see much in the way of life. There are lots (hundreds) of large stumps that have had their root systems washed out. Think it might be a fun thing to see while diving.

Image
John

Check out my site, http://scubadivesites.webs.com/
User avatar
LCF
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5697
Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 5:05 pm

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by LCF »

I suspect the best time to dive there would be after the ice has melted, and most of the snow is gone. Say June-July ish? I'd seriously be up for this. I've thought about it for a long time. Since I've seen the lake almost empty, I know darned well there isn't much in it, but it would just be fun to do.
"Sometimes, when your world is going sideways, the second best thing to everything working out right, is knowing you are loved..." ljjames
User avatar
Nwbrewer
I've Got Gills
Posts: 4620
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:59 am

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by Nwbrewer »

LCF wrote:I suspect the best time to dive there would be after the ice has melted, and most of the snow is gone. Say June-July ish? I'd seriously be up for this. I've thought about it for a long time. Since I've seen the lake almost empty, I know darned well there isn't much in it, but it would just be fun to do.
The water level being low should not be confused with almost empty. I believe like Lake Cle Elum, that "empty" is simply back the the level it was before the dam was built, which is pretty deep. Just a guess, but I'd bet the best spot to dive would be over where the old snow shed roof is looking for construction debris. I'd also be up for something in the lake. Wouldn't be the first dive I've done with nothing to see.

Jake
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
User avatar
Mortuus
Amphibian
Posts: 859
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:57 pm

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by Mortuus »

thefeve wrote:"The name Keechelus comes from an Indian term meaning "few fish", in contrast to Kachess Lake, whose name means "more fish".[2]"

Might be a sign there isn't much to see... But heck, why not take a look!
:rofl: You beat me to it! Maybe Kachess Lake might be more worth diving...
User avatar
thefeve
Compulsive Diver
Posts: 361
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:24 am

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by thefeve »

I think it'd be fun as well. I want to check outage cle elum, only since my family has a place up there and it'd be fun to check out. I think it'd be a lot of stump inspection.... If one had a scooter, could be a lot if fun...
I think you've figured out the root cause of your problems. Even sea lions get annoyed by splitfin divers silting out their dive sites. Switch back to your jets and you'll be safe from the sea lion silt prevention patrol from now on. - NWbrewer
Nwcid
Extreme Diving Machine
Posts: 459
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:00 pm

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by Nwcid »

Well I am in the process of buying a 25' pontoon boat. Not as cool as a scooter but hoping to put a decent electronics package on it. Should be able to get a team of divers anywhere on a lake and maybe find something worth diving on.

I am saving up for a Cuda though. Just scored a deal on them through our dive team, but still need the $$$.
John

Check out my site, http://scubadivesites.webs.com/
User avatar
thefeve
Compulsive Diver
Posts: 361
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:24 am

Re: Lake Keechelus

Post by thefeve »

Nwcid wrote:Well I am in the process of buying a 25' pontoon boat. Not as cool as a scooter but hoping to put a decent electronics package on it. Should be able to get a team of divers anywhere on a lake and maybe find something worth diving on.

I am saving up for a Cuda though. Just scored a deal on them through our dive team, but still need the $$$.
Oh nice! That sounds pretty awesome for divin':)

A cuda would be rad, I'm now in the minority of what I guess is now the "former" MMM group by not having a. Scooter... Thankfully most of em don't mind towin' me around!
I think you've figured out the root cause of your problems. Even sea lions get annoyed by splitfin divers silting out their dive sites. Switch back to your jets and you'll be safe from the sea lion silt prevention patrol from now on. - NWbrewer
Post Reply