Navajo Res Dive?

[WallDiver77]

I'm pondering, thinking, or just plain cogitating about diving Navajo this next weekend. Because it's a three day weekend my schedule may be a bit more flexible.

If you're of the same mindset, let me hear from you. I'd really like to see if I can still get into my 7mil after winter! I also have some new toys I'd like to try out:
OxyCheq MachV 30#wing
HammerHead BP
Some huge new fins.... Cressi Master Frogs
and new Bare Ice boots to go with them! I'm going to look like a very green diver!

I hear the surface is now 59 to 60f, so bring everything you own in exposure gear!

 

[carljess]

Hello Everyone,

I joined this group just recently and have not yet introduced myself. So I thought I would do so here in this thread.

I got certified two years ago. And have been looking for someone to dive Navajo with ever since. So far without success. So I'm all in favor of any plan to that includes diving there.

But this weekend I'm obligated to be in Albuquerque. Is there any interest in diving Navajo the first weekend in June?

Carl Jess

 

[WallDiver77]

I will probably try to dive Navajo this weekend solo, but that depends on conditions out there (the amount of crazies on the lake).

The first weekend in June should be much quieter, so your idea sounds good. Boat or shore? I have a small ski boat that will accomodate a couple of divers ok.... three divers are questionable on it.

Have you decided on a particular spot you'd like to dive?

 

[carljess]

I have never dived in Navajo, and know very little about where to suggest. So I'm open to any suggestions. If you have a favorite dive site, then lets go there.

What I'd suggest is that we plan to dive on Sunday morning. Two dives?

My preconceptions were shore dives but I am certainly interested in a boat ride.

Afterwards how about a picnic on shore -- I expect that I could talk the rest of my family into a day at the lake.

If you get out there this weekend then by all means let us know what you find. Just how cold is the water and how much vis.

Carl

 

[WallDiver77]

Ok...... here's what little I know:

The Top of the Island: Of all the diving at Navajo, this is my favorite. Visibility is near the best in the lake... currently I would expect about 6 foot of vis. This site is a large island that sticks out of the lake during low levels. The island runs parallel to the shore line to the west of the Marina and serves as an anchor for the mooring lines that run from the shore line that many, many boats moor from.

When the lake is full, like it is right now, the table top of the island is at about 20 to 30 feet. The top isn't much but a large gravel field in areas. Lifting small rocks usually reveals crawfish which lurking bass will readily dive at.

After cruising across the top of the island to the east edge you will find a vertical wall that drops down (eventually) to over 200 feet. I have dove only 70 feet down these walls... it just gets too cold and dark to venture farther without a good drysuit and lights. Up at the north end of this wall I have seen large carp.

About the only thing I can say bad about this area is that the first thermocline seems to hold a lot of junk. Vis inside this thermocline (located at about 35 feet down) is almost zero. This TC isn't always present though..... which makes no sense to me.

I have also dove up the Francis canyon. Some of these sites have offered the best Vis in the lake.... at times. It's a much calmer area to anchor your boat and dive simply because you just don't have as much open water around you.

I have yet to find any good diving up the Pine. I would like to explore this more....

I have dove the mouth of the San Juan just west of Sims Marina. Good wall here and reasonable vis in late summer. It's a very rough place to anchor.

More to come later.

 

[WallDiver77]

Yes, let's dive out of my boat (if you're boatless). The picnic idea sounds great!

I'll also try to get my son to come along. He has over 100 dives under his belt with at least 60 of them at Navajo.