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Clear Lake

Clear Lake

Oregon, United States

Depth
Depth Icon

175m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

100m - 300m

Entry
Shore Entry Icon

Shore

Experience Level

Experienced

Clear Lake

Oregon, United States

Clear Lake
Depth
Depth Icon

175m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

100m - 300m

Entry
Shore Entry Icon

Shore

Experience Level

Experienced


About Clear Lake

North end of Clear Lake with its source, Mount Washington, in background Location Linn County, Oregon, USA Coordinates 44�21′38″N 121�59′33″W / 44.36056�N 121.9925�W / 44.36056; -121.9925Coordinates: 44�21′38″N 121�59′33″W / 44.36056�N 121.9925�W / 44.36056; -121.9925 Lake type natural lake Primary outflows McKenzie River Basin countries United States Surface area 148 acres Average depth 50 ft (15 m) Max. depth 175 ft (53 m) Water volume 11800 acre-ft Residence time 0.5 mo Shore length1 3.2 mi (5.1 km) Surface elevation 3,012 ft (918 m) 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. The narrow portion between the north and south ends of Clear Lake and the main body of the lake (background)Clear Lake is a mountain lake 86 mi (138 km) northeast of Eugene, Oregon, United States in Linn County. It has two main bodies connected by a bottleneck. The lake is primarily fed by snow runoff from nearby Mount Washington and the surrounding areas. The runoff filters through underground caverns for more than 20 years before emptying into Clear Lake. The lake is also fed by two small creeks which may dry up seasonally. Clear Lake is the headwaters of the McKenzie River, which is the sole source of drinking water for Eugene iving in Clear Lake Clear Lake is reported to one of the most exceptional freshwater dive spots in the United States. Submerged 100 feet deep in the lake is a stand of upright trees that were killed approximately 3,000 years ago when volcanic activity created the lake. The trees are remarkably preserved due to the cold year-round water temperatures of between 35-43 �F (1.6-6 �C).

Clear Lake Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Night, Muck, Drop Off, Drift, Deep, Other, Inland

Entry Type

Shore

Max Depth

175m

Visibility Range

100m 300m

Experience Level

Experienced

Best Gas Mix

-1% at 173m / 21%

O2
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Marine Life

  • Trout
Weather Conditions

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

  • Landmark Misidentification — Familiar sites can become unrecognisable at night.

  • Light-Induced Tunnel Vision — Focused light beams reduce peripheral awareness.

  • Depth Perception Errors — Reduced ambient light increases depth perception mistakes.

  • Navigation Ambiguity — Lack of reference points makes exits harder to relocate.

  • Unnoticed Depth Drift — Featureless terrain can cause slow, unnoticed depth changes.

  • Camouflaged Hazardous Species — Hazardous marine life may remain unnoticed until very close.

  • Edge-Accelerated Currents — Currents often strengthen along drop-off edges.

  • Depth Perception Distortion — Visual contrast can distort perceived depth.

  • Terrain-Induced Descent — Divers may unintentionally follow terrain downward.

  • Eddy Pull-Off Zones — Eddies behind structures can pull divers away from the main drift line.

  • Delayed Surface Pickup — Strong current can exceed surface tracking assumptions, delaying boat pickup.

  • Vertical Current Shear — Currents may vary by depth, causing vertical separation even when divers stay together.

  • Gradual Narcosis Onset — Narcosis may develop slowly, making self-assessment unreliable.

  • Task Fixation at Depth — Cognitive narrowing at depth can reduce awareness of time and ascent rate.

  • Increased Gas Density Breathing Load — Higher gas density at depth increases work of breathing.

  • Thermocline Buoyancy Shift — Sharp thermoclines can cause sudden buoyancy changes.

  • Instant Visibility Collapse — Sediment disturbance can eliminate visibility immediately.

  • Late Detection of Structures — Submerged structures may only appear at very close range.

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