| Blue Lake | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tooele County, Utah, USA |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Average depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Surface elevation | 4,300 ft (1,300 m) |
Blue Lake is large geothermal pond located about 16 mi (26 km) south of Wendover, Utah at . The lake is 60 feet (18 m) deep and at an elevation of 4,300 ft (1,311 m) above sea level. It is located on land that is part of the Wendover Range, owned by the United States Air Force, but the lake and its immediate surroundings are publicly-accessible wetlands managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM permits public access and use but does not permit the erection of any permanent structures.
Blue Lake is a very popular spot for Utah and Nevada divers. Since it is warm year-round and reasonably clear it is very heavily used on the weekends for dive training, with programs such as the University of Utah Scuba Program. Other nearby high-mountain lakes are clear but cold even in early fall and lower, warmer waters tend to be very murky. Blue Lake's constant high-volume flow of clear springwater provides underwater visibility of up to 40 feet (12 m) at (rare) times, and year-round bottom temperatures of approximately 85°F (29°C). Surface temperatures vary from the high 60s (~20°C) in winter to the high 70s (~25°C) in summer.
The lake is full of warm-water fish, mostly bass, tilapia, sunfish and bluegill, and diving enthusiasts have placed a number of objects on the bottom to add interest. The objects include several large metal sculptures of marine animals, several boats and even a chair and television set. Another attraction for divers is the ever-bubbling hot springs at the bottom.
Late fall is probably the best time to visit the lake, since the summer algal bloom has died off and the above-water insects are gone but air temperatures are still comfortable in the daytime. The annual bloom cuts visibility to around three feet (1 m) but isn't severe enough to damage the other marine life. Early spring is also nice. In the winter the lake is clear and still very warm, but freezing air temperatures dissuade casual visitors.
The Utah DWR has placed catch and kill restrictions (per 09 Utah Fishing Guidebook) on the tilapia since they are not recognized as a game fish and are actually a detriment to the small sport fishery provided by the bass and bluegill that were present in the lake prior to the introduction of tilapia and other aquarium fish by divers.