West Virginia is well known for its diverse and beautiful topography, its endless mountain ranges, and its natural resources. One of the most densely karstic areas in the world, it is a mecca for recreational cavers, and those same karst formations contribute to the state's clear, beautiful waters. Offering outdoor recreation opportunities of all kinds, the state of West Virginia is one place you might never have contemplated diving, but the fact is, there are a number of caves, quarries, and lakes to explore. Here are two of the best places to dive in West Virginia.
Mount Storm Lake
Also known as Vepco Lake, Mount Storm Lake is surrounded by beautiful trees, and offers incredibly warm water, thanks to the fact that it acts as a cooling pond for the nearby power plant. Located in the Allegheny Mountains of northern West Virginia, it features water temperatures that reach as high as the mid-90's during the summer, and rarely dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit even when surrounding air temperatures are well below freezing during the winter months. A destination for divers from southeastern Ohio, northern Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and of course West Virginia, Mount Storm Lake is also heavily used for training.
Created in 1962, it covers 1,200 acres and is popular for boating and swimming as well as diving. Through the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO), Mt. Storm Power Station burns over 15,000 tons of coal each day, it is equipped with state of the art scrubbers that prevent air quality from diminishing. The lake's waters are pumped through the power station at a rate of 234,000 gallons per minute to cool its three massive generating units - that's enough to completely recycle the lake water in just a little over two days. At the three return pipes, where the water re-enters the lake, its temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Besides the warm water, Mount Storm Lake features a number of platforms at various depths, plus there is an underwater ghost forest, a shed, and a fence left over from the days before the dam was constructed. The lake is home to catfish, bluegill, and mussels; the fish are numerous and friendly. Maximum depth in the lake is 132 feet, and visibility is usually around 15 feet. Divers must use a flag and stay within 100 feet of it throughout the dive.
There is no fee to dive, and parking is free too. Bring full tanks - there is nowhere to fill up anywhere close. You can dive Mt. Storm 24 hours a day.
Summersville Lake
Known as the cleanest and clearest freshwater lake east of the Mississippi River, Summersville Lake is located south of Summersville near Mount Nebo. Formed by a dam built on Gaulery River in the 1960's, this incredible lake is sometimes called the Bahamas of the East, thanks to its soaring rocky cliffs, massive boulders, and incredible swim-throughs, some of which are as far as 100 feet beneath the water's surface. Maximum depth in the lake is 327 feet, and visibility is excellent, usually falling somewhere between 25 and 80 feet. You'll find that the water temperature is a pleasant 68-85 degrees during the diving season, which extends from mid-May through the end of September.
While there are no fees to dive here, you'll need a boat to reach the most popular diving areas, where you'll come face to face with lots of fish including bass, catfish, and walleye.
On-site amenities include campgrounds with showers and restrooms, plus boat ramps and playgrounds, visitors centers, hiking trails, and more. An onsite dive shop offers air fills, kayak rentals, gear sales and rentals, and more; the shop also offers a discount to active duty military members, law enforcement personnel, and all other first responders.
Whether you dive just one of these West Virginia lakes, or if you enjoy them both, you're certain to come away with a completely new take on the recreational opportunities the Mountain State has to offer! Local people are friendly, and restaurants and accommodations are available near both sites, along with plenty of topside attractions.