Lake Ouachita was created when the Ouachita River was dammed when the Blakely Mountain Dam was completed in 1953, six years after the project was first begun. Pronounced WAH-shi-tah, Lake Ouachita covers 40,000 acres and has more than 690 miles of shoreline. Known by fishing enthusiasts as the striped bass capital of the world, this incredible lake features one of the largest crystal veins in the world, and it's home to some incredible aquatic life as well. Let's make our way to the historic city of Hot Springs Arkansas - fantastic discoveries await!
Diving Lake Ouachita
Home to an amazing array of freshwater fish including several species of bass, plus bream, crappie, catfish, walleye, and many others, Lake Ouachita is also home to nonpoisonous freshwater jellyfish and even freshwater sponges, which only thrive in the world's cleanest lakes. As this is a manmade lake, it is incredible that these last two species are found here - this just goes to show what can happen when human intrusion is kept at a minimum. The lake's shoreline has no residential development; in fact, there are a few marinas and resorts, and that's it.
The aquatic species are amazing, but there's more to be discovered, namely, a close up look at the geology of the lake, which includes incredible boulders and steep walls, plus a veritable wealth of gleaming quartz crystals. Lake Ouachita is a well-known destination for mineral enthusiasts; interestingly, it is located only a little north of North America's only diamond mine.
In addition, there are approximately 200 islands to dive around, and there are plenty of submerged mountaintops here, too. In addition, you'll find the remains of abandoned settlements left behind when the lake was formed; most towns were relocated beginning in the early 1930's, well before the dam construction began.
Unlike some of Arkansas’ other popular lake dive sites, Lake Ouachita has some fairly tight restrictions and access for divers is limited. No diving is allowed from the campgrounds, swimming areas, or marinas. There are a few places suitable for shore entry; the most popular is at the far end of the dam, where stairs lead from the parking area deep into the lake itself. Cables lead the way to sunken boats and vehicles, and visibility is very good in this area. Maximum depth when the lake is filled to capacity is around 190 feet deep, but the attractions are in much shallower water.
Most diving at Lake Ouachita is conducted from boats - not that this is a problem, since the best dive sites in the lake are located a distance from shore, and as there are plenty of dive operators that frequent the lake. Some of the best sites include:
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Crawdad Island - along the west side, you'll find a rock wall with large boulders, and on the north end of the island, there's a sunken boat.
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Zebra Rock - Vertical veins of white quartz crystal run through the black substrate here, giving this big rock the look of zebra stripes. Down below the rock, a rockslide yields loose crystals.
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Checkerboard Point - Cracks and fissures create a "checkerboard" appearance here, and as many small fish hide between the boulders, there are lots of large fish waiting for an easy target to emerge. Spearfishing is allowed here and at other locations around the lake - if you want to spearfish, you need a permit and you're allowed only half the normal limit.
There are plenty of great amenities around Lake Ouachita, including various types of accommodations from camping to resort rooms, and there are all sorts of topside recreation opportunities for non-divers to enjoy, and of course, to keep divers busy during surface intervals. An amazing place to dive with plenty to see, this is one lake that can keep you diving for days on end.