Candice Landau
Last Updated on April 14, 2024 by Candice Landau
About this dive site
Type of Dive: Freshwater, Altitude Dive
Diving Ability: Beginner to Advanced, Recreational and Technical
Depth: 0 – 180 feet.
Whether you’re from Oregon or traveling from further afield, Clear Lake is one dive site you’re bound to have heard of—a tropical turquoise gem within relatively easy access of Portland, Eugene, and Bend.
True to its name, Clear Lake is just that—clear, often with up to 100 feet of visibility, or so it feels. Diving in this lake is like diving in a giant swimming pool, with one caveat: it’s cold—a piercing 38 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Glance up partway through a dive and you’re very likely to see a rowboat or a kayaker.
Although there are dozens of other clear, altitude lakes in Oregon, this one is special thanks in large part to its history.
About 3,000 years ago volcanic activity created the lake when a flow of lava redirected the river. Many of the trees that that were standing at this time can still be found today in the lake, beautifully preserved and still standing upright. These are some of the main points of interest.
What’s in the lake
While all of Clear Lake is diveable, it’s worth picking specific areas to explore on each dive as the water is so cold. You really will not be able to stay down there for more than 45 minutes. Don’t risk getting too far out and then getting too cold to make it back. Hypothermia out here is a real possibility.
Most people will dive the north end of the lake, entering the water around the resort area and swimming north past the boat ramp. The most photographed tree in Clear Lake is very likely the one that stands in the middle of the channel between the dock and the East bank. Keep on heading up and you’ll find some more trees, a few in shallower water on the west bank and then a few more near the top of the lake.
Beyond the trees, this north pool area has some really beautiful features, including large craters where water seeps up through the rocks; some very ethereal-looking green algae; grass that makes you feel like you’re swimming in a park; and of course, the “witch’s cauldrons,” masses of mist that hover over craters. If you’re a photographer you may also want to head up to the spring. Sometimes you can find some good photo opportunities there.
If you’re inclined to head south, you won’t be disappointed either. Even Google Maps has tagged this area “Underwater Forest.” I have only seen the deeper trees on the west bank here. They’re around 80 feet, but I have heard there are more trees deeper. Explorations for a future date.
I have marked out a few points of interest, including entries and exits on the map below. You can zoom in and click on the markers. Also, if you’d like to know more about depths at this site, check out this map.
When to dive
You can dive Clear Lake year-round. The water temperature does not change even when there’s snow on the ground. Of course, this does mean you’ll need to make sure you have a way to warm up sufficiently after the dive.
If you’re heading up to the lake in winter, you may want to check for snow. If you do not have a car with chains or the ability to handle snow that may be your limiting factor.
You can book cabins or tent camping parking spaces in advance, should you wish to make it an overnight trip. If you do this, I have heard of people doing night dives and even being able to see the moon from far below.
You can learn more about the lake and about camping, hiking, and other recreational activities on the USDA Forest Service page.
What to wear
This is coldwater diving, make no mistake. On average the water temperature is around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. I wear a drysuit in the lake and am cold within 20 minutes. That said, I usually dive the lake wearing 5mm wet gloves. If you can add thicker thermals to your drysuit, a heated vest, an extra pair of socks and dry gloves, you’ll be set!
If you do not have a drysuit, you can dive the lake in a wetsuit. I’ve done it. It was not pleasant but it was doable. Make sure to bring some warm water to add to your drysuit. You will definitely want a 7mm wetsuit and a farmer john if you opt for this sort of exposure protection.
Given this lake sits 3,012 feet above sea level, you will also want to bring extra weight, regardless of whether you’re donning a drysuit or a wetsuit. Because air pressure is lower at altitude, any items that have “air” in them will be slightly more buoyant than they are at sea level. I always have to add extra weight, even in my doubles!
I also highly recommend having an environmentally sealed regulator, or a regulator that is equipped for cold water diving. The risk of free-flowing at depth is greatly increased in this lake because of the cold.
Where to dive and entries and exits
Getting to clear lake is easy. It lies just off Highway 126. You can access it from Portland, Eugene, Corvallis or Bend.
There are also multiple entry points into the lake. I have marked a few above. Most people, you will find, will enter just south of the boat ramp near where all the cars park. But, you can also enter the water just north of the boat ramp off of a small beach area. There are many entry points above this too.
I suggest choosing your entry point based around the area you want to explore. This will minimize the time you spend in the water.
For the most part, you’ll be diving to the north of the lake. There are trees to the south but they’re a lot deeper. Be very careful if you opt for a dive plan heading south. You should be experienced and own equipment that is good enough to withstand the cold.
Precautions to take
Hypothermia
I know I’ve already stressed the water here is cold, but it is. It’s really easy to get far out, get cold, get disoriented, and then have a really, unpleasant swim back. With cold hands it’s hard to take fins off, it’s hard to get out of gear. It also gets harder to think clearly. Get done with your dive before your extremities become hard to use.
Pressure at altitude
This is also an altitude dive. If you’ve never done an altitude dive, I strongly suggest you go with someone who has. Alternatively, consider taking an Altitude Specialty class. When you dive at Altitude you may need to adjust your computer (most computers adjust automatically but not all do).
If you are driving to altitude you will also need to wait a couple of hours before getting in the water. I call this the “Drive Dive” because by the time you’ve reached altitude you’re technically already off-gassing because you’ve come up from sea level. Consider these two hours your surface interval.
And finally, diving depths at altitude are slightly altered because the air pressure is lower. If you own a copy of the PADI “Adventures in Diving” textbook you’ll find a theoretical depth at altitude table. If you do not have this book you can find one online. Here’s one I came across on Utah State University’s website.
If you do end up diving the site, please let me know! I’d love to add to the map and hear about your own experiences. This is a truly beautiful site to dive. You will not regret it!
Follow