How deep is Turquoise Lake?

Turquoise Lake ranges from 6.1 to 30.5 metres deep (20–100 feet) — a deep dive at its limit. It is a freshwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Turquoise Lake a shore dive or a boat dive?

Turquoise Lake can be dived from shore or by boat. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as moderately exposed to surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near 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 Turquoise Lake?

Turquoise Lake is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 6.1 to 30.5 metres (20–100 feet). Access is from shore or by boat, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Turquoise Lake?

July-September after ice-out and before fall storms. Effectively summer-only (roughly June-September); the lake ices over in winter and access roads can close. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Turquoise Lake?

Divers at Turquoise Lake in United States commonly report sightings of Brown trout, Rainbow trout, White sucker, and Lake trout (mackinaw). Rainbow trout is recorded as common sightings, while Brown trout, White sucker, and Lake trout (mackinaw) are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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AdvancedBoth

Turquoise Lake

Colorado, United StatesDirections

AOW suggested6–31 m (20–100 ft) depthBoth entry

Turquoise Lake at a glance

Turquoise Lake is an advanced both dive site in Colorado, United States with depths of 6.1–30.5 m (20–100 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Brown trout, Rainbow trout, and White sucker. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable · sunset 18:12

Wind forecast for this hour · 0:00 · run 1 h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Extreme altitude (~9,900 ft) requiring conservative altitude tables; very cold water year-round; rapid mountain weather changes; remoteness from hyperbaric care.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

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5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

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7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

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6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

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7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

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5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

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4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

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Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:58 · Sunrise 7:26 · Sunset 18:12 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 24 Oct, 23:27 GMT-6

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Turquoise Lake

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

Best time: July-September after ice-out and before fall storms.

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.

January, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
February, 95% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
March, 95% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
April, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
May, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
June, 99% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
August, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
October, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
November, 99% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
December, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots

July and August have typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A 1,780-acre mountain reservoir near Leadville at roughly 9,900 feet, making it one of the highest commonly dived lakes in the United States. Clear, very cold water offers around 20 feet of visibility over depths of 20-100 feet, with boulder fields and submerged forest along the shores. The extreme altitude makes specialized altitude-diving planning essential; air fills are available in Leadville.

boatshore

Extreme altitude (~9,900 ft) requiring conservative altitude tables; very cold water year-round; rapid mountain weather changes; remoteness from hyperbaric care.

Reviews

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