How deep is Lake Keowee - Hot Hole?

Lake Keowee - Hot Hole ranges from 3 to 10.7 metres deep (10–35 feet) — a shallow dive. It is a freshwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Lake Keowee - Hot Hole a shore dive or a boat dive?

Lake Keowee - Hot Hole is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Lake Keowee - Hot Hole?

Lake Keowee - Hot Hole is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 10.7 metres (10–35 feet). Access is by boat. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Lake Keowee - Hot Hole?

Divers at Lake Keowee - Hot Hole in United States commonly report sightings of Spotted bass, Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Common carp, and Bluegill. Spotted bass, Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Common carp, and Bluegill are recorded as common sightings. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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IntermediateBoat entry

Lake Keowee - Hot Hole

South Carolina, United States

Open Water suggested3–11 m depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Lake Keowee - Hot Hole at a glance

Lake Keowee - Hot Hole is an intermediate boat dive site in South Carolina, United States with depths of 3–10.7 m (10–35 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Spotted bass, Largemouth bass, and Channel catfish. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 13h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Strong, variable discharge current, abrupt temperature swings from ~80 F to ~58 F, low visibility, boat traffic

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Fri8:00–20:00

Sat8:00–20:00

Sun8:00–20:00

Mon8:00–20:00

Tue8:00–20:00

Wed8:00–20:00

Thu8:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:46 · Sunrise 7:11 · Sunset 19:44

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 13h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Spotted bass, Largemouth bass, Channel catfish

Best time: November through April, when local shops schedule warm-water trips

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan88% 7 kn
Feb89% 8 kn
Mar85% 9 kn
Apr92% 8 kn
May96% 7 kn
Jun98% 7 kn
Jul100% 6 kn
Aug100% 6 kn
Sep97% 6 kn
Oct97% 7 kn
Nov93% 7 kn
Dec91% 7 kn

July and August havetypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A one-of-a-kind warm-water drift dive on 18,000-acre Lake Keowee, where the Oconee Nuclear Station's cooling discharge blows warmed water (up to ~80 F) back into the lake near Duke Energy's World of Energy site off Rochester Highway. Upstate divers and the Clemson Scuba Club ride the outflow current like a roller coaster, descending a rope to about 30 ft before letting go; the warm plume meets 50s F lake water at the edges. Visibility is poor and the current strength varies with the plant's cycle.

boatdrift

Strong, variable discharge current, abrupt temperature swings from ~80 F to ~58 F, low visibility, boat traffic

Reviews

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