Blue Lake (Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Lake |
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Scuba divers at the lake
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 Blue Lake
Location in Utah
Blue Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tooele County, Utah, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°30′07″N 114°01′56″W / 40.50194°N 114.03222°W |
| Type | spring-fed |
| Managing agency | United States Bureau of Land Management |
| Surface area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Average depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Surface elevation | 4,300 ft (1,300 m) |
| Max. temperature | 70 °F (21 °C) |
| Min. temperature | 60 °F (16 °C) |
Blue Lake is a special pond in Utah, USA. It's about 16 miles south of Wendover, Utah. This lake is unique because it's a "geothermal" pond. This means its water is warmed by heat from inside the Earth.
The lake is about 60 feet deep and covers an area of 9 acres. It sits 4300 feet above sea level. Blue Lake is located within the Utah Test and Training Range. This area is controlled by the United States Air Force. However, the lake itself and the land around it are open to the public. The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) takes care of this wetland area. They allow people to visit and use the lake. But you cannot build any permanent buildings there.
Contents
Exploring Blue Lake: A Diver's Paradise
Blue Lake is a very popular place for scuba divers. Divers love it because the water stays warm all year. It is also quite clear. This makes it a great spot for dive training, even for groups like the University of Utah Scuba Program.
Why Divers Love Blue Lake
Other lakes in the mountains nearby are clear but very cold. Lakes at lower elevations are warmer but often cloudy. Blue Lake is different. It has a steady flow of clear spring water. This means you can sometimes see up to 60 feet underwater! The temperature at the bottom of the lake is always around 85°F (29°C). The surface water changes from about 60°F (15°C) in winter to 70°F (21°C) in summer.
What You Can See Underwater
The lake is home to warm-water fish. You might spot bass, tilapia, sunfish, and bluegill. Divers have also placed fun objects on the bottom. You can find large metal sculptures of sea animals, boats, and even a chair and TV set! There's also a bubbling hot spring on the lake floor. This is a cool natural sight to explore.
Best Times to Dive
The best time to dive at Blue Lake is in late fall or early spring. During these times, the water is very clear. This is because the summer's algal bloom (when tiny plants grow a lot) is gone. The air temperature is also mild, and there are fewer insects. The algal bloom can make the water murky, sometimes reducing visibility to less than a meter. However, it doesn't harm the fish or other lake life. Diving in winter is possible because the water is clear, but the air outside can be very cold.
Fishing at Blue Lake
The Utah DWR (Division of Wildlife Resources) allows fishing in Blue Lake. There are rules for how many fish you can catch:
- Bass: You can keep up to 6 fish.
- Bluegill: You can keep up to 50 fish.
- Tilapia: There is no limit, and you must keep and kill any you catch. This is because tilapia were put into the lake illegally. They compete with the native fish for food and space.
See also
In Spanish: Lago Blue para niños
