How deep is Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area)?

Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area) has a depth range of from 1.5 metres (5 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

When is the best time to dive Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area)?

The best time to dive Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area) is typically July and August (water in the 60s F, calmer winds). Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area)?

Divers at Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area) in United States commonly report sightings of Walleye, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Chinook salmon, and Painted turtle. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Map of Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area)

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Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area)

North Dakota, United States

Open Water suggested2 m depthBoth entry

Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area) at a glance

Lake Sakakawea (Garrison Dam area) is a both dive site in North Dakota, United States with depths of from 1.5 m (5 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Walleye, Northern pike, and Smallmouth bass. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 9h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Wind and waves on a very large lake, cold water below the thermocline, boat traffic

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Tue

Tue7:00–22:00

Wed7:00–18:00

Thu7:00–22:00

Fri7:00–17:00

Sat7:00–22:00

Sun13:00–22:00

Mon19:00–22:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:42 · Sunrise 6:19 · Sunset 21:25

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 9h 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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Walleye, Northern pike, Crayfish

Best time: July and August (water in the 60s F, calmer winds)

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.

Jan62% 13 kn
Feb56% 14 kn
Mar62% 14 kn
Apr46% 15 kn
May57% 13 kn
Jun64% 13 kn
Jul74% 12 kn
Aug71% 12 kn
Sep73% 12 kn
Oct54% 14 kn
Nov66% 13 kn
Dec68% 13 kn

July hastypically 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

WalleyeCommonly seen
Northern pikeCommonly seen
Smallmouth bassOccasionally seen
Chinook salmonSeasonal
Painted turtleOccasionally seen
CrayfishCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

The third-largest reservoir in the US, formed by Garrison Dam on the Missouri River, and the standard open-water training and fun-dive lake for North Dakota's dive community. Water near the dam face is the clearest in the river system (15-20 ft on good days), and shallow bays hold aquatic grass beds sheltering fish, turtles and crayfish, with rock formations and fossils on the lake bed. Lake Sakakawea State Park near Pick City provides ramps and shore access.

boatshore

Wind and waves on a very large lake, cold water below the thermocline, boat traffic

Reviews

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