Summersville Lake-WV

[Kokomo]

Originally Posted by mselizann

We were going to Dutch Springs for a few days in late June, but it is pretty expensive, and we were checking out other options. We were thinking of camping nearby, and diving the last Thurs-Sat in June.

Dove Summersville June 21st of last year. Air temp was 78 degrees, surface temp was 75 degrees and bottom temp was 68 degrees. I was wearing a 5mm suit and was very comfortable.

[tedwhiteva]

Here is a link - sound interesting
West Virginina Camping - Summersville Lake Retreat

[drifter136]

This is the campground my friends and I always stay at. Summersville Lake | Campground | Cabins | Camping | West Virginia | Fishing

Not sure their reasoning for picking Mountain Lake over Summersville Retreat, but we have been happy with them. My friends are the ones that make the reservations and I just tag along. My best friend that I always go boating with down there just signed up for OW, so now I am really looking forward to diving Summersville.


Just wanted to add that Mountain Lake is right down the road from Sarge's Dive Shop and that is the ramp we have always used.

[underh2o]

was interested in diving this year at this location supposed to be great wall diving must have boat. never dove but would like to. have several local divers in va have mentioned it. let me know , pls. always looking for new people to dive with and new places. the gauley is fun once a year when the drain the lake for gauley run(rafting)
scott

[orion586969]

Date of Report: May 02, 2009 H20 Temp: 64Air Temp: 72Visibility in Feet: 5-7Current: 0Details: surface temp. 64 degree, thermocline 15 feet temp 54. visibility 5-7 feet

[bobcat]

The second dive spot that you mention below is located down which road? Have never been to Summersville before and a friend and I are thinking of going next Tuesday. Any info about diving there would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Originally Posted by WV Diver

mselizann,

The lake is nice and visited by many shops and divers over the summer months. There are two most often used dive sites. One is at the winter boat ramp, near the dam, this is the one most folks go to. There is one platform at about 25 feet west of the entry point in a small cove. This cove also has a small sunken boat, the Thomas Patrick, which is near the platform and in about 30-35' of water. To the east, toward the dam there is a large rock that some of the shops use for a platform for students to do skills on. Beyond the cove is the winter boat ramp. It is in about 80'+ of water in the summer months and a fair dive.

The other dive site in beyond the camp ground and farther down the road. It has two small boats to dive on but most folks don't do it because you have to carry your gear a little ways to get into the water as it is gated. But if you can catch one of the rangers there they will open it for you long enough to drive your gear to the water. Personally I don't think the haul is that big of a deal myself.

Late summer and fall are the best temps and can be in the upper 70's. I have read articles that advertise the vis to be 40'. This I have never seen, in reality it is more like 15-20' on good days in the < 40' of depth range but can be clearer at depths > 40', although the overall vis is about the same the water is more clear. The elevation is 1565' at the entry point. Boat traffic is heavy most of the time, be sure to have a flag. BTW, the Corps of Engineers does not like you towing your flag. This is not the norm in most other areas. So we usually plant several flags around the dive areas and just pick them up when we do out last dive.

There are facilities at the top of the hill a short drive from the entry point and BBQ grills and picnic tables.

If you have specific questions just ask here. If you would like to dive with us anytime this summer just shoot me a PM and we can discuss it and meet there for some dives.

[WV Diver]

It is on the same road RT 129 just farther. Go over the dam and past the winter boat ramp turn off and you will see a sign for Battle Run Campground. Turn right as if you were going to the campground, go past the camp ground entrance, then past the beach where everyone swims, then past a boat launch area and all the way to the circular turn around point at the end of the road. Walk through the red gate here and out onto the peninsula. There are two buoys that you can see from the peninsula, one on the left and one on the right. Both are small boats sunk just for divers. It is a bit of a haul for your gear but if you catch a ranger there they have been known to open the gate and allow folks to drive their gear in and drop it off. Have fun. I will post some pics if I can get them to up load of the boats during the winter draw down.


Uploads failed. If you have a Facebook account send me a PM and I will give my info so you can send me a friend request and I will put some of the pics in an album for you.

[tonka97]

Thanks WV Diver!

I dive at Summersville, but did not know of that site.

[WV Diver]

Glad to help Tonka. I have really good pics of the boats high and dry during winter draw down. I will post an album on FB.

[bobcat]

Thanks WV Diver and Orion!