dalyup, you compare Tenkiller in May after lots of rain, with Beaver in July without much rain, OK. Did you know the two lakes watershed is less than 10 miles apart with one range of hills determining which lake the water flows to. They are very close to the same visibility, over a years time.
I like both lakes, mostly when you're in a boat. . . Best visibility in either lake is around the twisting river channel, even if it is over 100 feet deep. Most of the water flow will follow that old river path. In both lakes, look at the river channel and where the flow turns suddenly, lots of food is deposited where the momentum carried it. Find a bluff, then check out both areas where the bluff flattens out. Those slopes next to a bluff, will attract fish, and usually good visibility.
One good advantage to Beaver lake is the tall hills have more protected areas from the waves, making for calm waters. . . one disadvantage of Beaver lake is the tall hills, blocking the winds when the temperatures are over 100 degrees.
Many people who talk about Tenkiller's visibility go to the Underwater park when there are instructors with lots of students stirring up the shallows. Often the park areas near Beaver dam are just the same. . . the mud is coming from people kicking up the silt. If you want to dive from your car at Tenkiller, look around for uncrowded areas. If the park is crowded, go to Crappie point, if that is busy, go to the north side of Pine cove, and swim out to the big rocks below the bluff. If that is too much effort, go to Strayhorn and dive the north or south shore, avoiding the swim area and the boat ramp. Another choice is drive up the west side, on "Indian Road" to Burnt Cabin point. . . take the left fork in the road, right fork goes to the marina. Continue on the road as it changes from gravel to dirt. This takes you to the bluff and down on the north side of the bluff and a shallow slope.
Another choice is going up the Eastern side of Snake Creek park, go into the park and keep going until you reach the rocky north shore of the cove. Always fly a dive flag and stay away from boat ramps.
Beaver lake is good much of the year, and Tenkiller is good much of the year, both lakes may be less than 5 feet visibility or up to 30 feet visibility, depending on weather, rain, storms, etc. Now if you want to compare lakes. . . Lake Ouachita in west central Arkansas has all our area lakes beaten, all the time. Fishing in Ouachita is great, hunting for crystals underwater is great, playing with the toys, their local divers have sunk, sandy beach islands, houseboat rentals. . . This is fresh water paradise.
