Willow Beach & Ringbolt Rapids

[mohave_steve]

I had the oportunity to dive Ringbolt Rapids (3-4 miles downstream from Hoover Dam)
with Doug from Desert Divers Supply and Lake Mead Scuba Charters.

Had a FANTASTIC time. The best freshwater dive I have done yet and my first real drift dive. I would highly recommend this dive to anyone considering diving in Lake Mead NRA.

Vis: 15-40+
Water Temp: 56F
Current: 4-8kts (Guestimate)
Depth: Up to 63' with most of the dive at 20-40'
Booty: Tackle box, 12"kitchen knife, sun glasses (yes I am going to wear them!), binoculars, fishing pole, EZ-Up etc.....

Thanks again Doug for the invitation. We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.

 

[Reef Man]

Sounds like a lot of fun... would love to try it sometime....

 

[mohave_steve]

Great Fun!

National Parks Service does not allow commercial/charter activity after Sept 1 but we
can take a private or rental boat up except Sunday & Monday.

Anyone want to go?

 

[Reef Man]

How far is it up to that area... I live in the Phoenix Valley on the east side...

I might have some guys that would want to make that dive...Two or three....Would need to know if we could do a Friday???? and approximate cost???

 

[mohave_steve]

Ron,

Phoenix to Willow beach is about 4.5 hours. 240 miles.
Lat time I rented a boat on Lk. Mohave from the same outfit that runs Willow Beach it was $125 for the day plus fuel. I will get current rates.
As to the day of the week I think a Friday would be great as Saturdays see more boat traffic and that stretch is closed to power boats completely on Sundays.

Steve

 

[Reef Man]

We could come up on Thursday spend the night....and then meet you at a given location...we would need some one on the boat to spot us....can we get some one to do that or should we try to find a boat op???

 

[mohave_steve]

We would need someone on the boat as National Parks Service does not allow commercial/charter activity after Sept 1.

 

[Reef Man]

Ok... Understand that....

Do you know where we could stay??? Motel, hotel, tent LOL??? We would bring our tanks...but is there a place to get them filled if we want to do more dives???

I have at least one dive buddy that wants to come up named Justin, and I might be able to get one more... We may need to have one of us man the boat on a dive and then alternate boat tenders, for another run down the river...

A 7mil wet suit, hood, gloves etc would be fine in that temp...does it get colder or is the river pretty much in the 50's in Sept, and Oct???

 

[mohave_steve]

Water temp is fairly constant 52-57. I Dive 7mil w/hood and I am comfortable in the water. Out of the water is another story. It was 116 last week. Afer the second dive I stayed in the water until everyone else was ready to go.

Motel/Hotel: Kingman - 55 miles South & prety much on your way or Boulder City 20 miles beyond Willow Beach.

Dive Shop: http://coloradoriverdivers.com also in Boulder City

I may be able to bring spare tanks.

 

[Reef Man]

Ok....Tell us what we can expect.... If we come on a Thursday...we would like to do may be an early evening dive somewhere...and then Friday do the dives with you down the river...Can we do two-three dives down the river??? We can bring 4 tanks each and if we could get fills in Boulder City we could do more dives...but I need to know what you think we could get done on the Thursday-Friday???