Page 1 of 1

Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 12:18 pm
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?

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:54 pm
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!

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:19 pm
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.

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:38 pm
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!

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:21 pm
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

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:22 pm
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.

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:31 pm
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

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:51 pm
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...

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:20 pm
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...

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:27 pm
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 $$$.

Re: Lake Keechelus

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:46 pm
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!