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ExpertBoat entry

Water Witch

Vermont, United States
AOW suggestedDepth (~90 ft) in cold dark freshwater; significant surface and bottom currents; Otter Creek runoff can cause ZERO visibility after heavy rain; lights necessary; very fragile shipwreck24–27 m (80–90 ft) depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Water Witch at a glance

Water Witch is an expert boat dive site in Vermont, United States with depths of 24.4–27.4 m (80–90 ft). Typically most favorable Jul–Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Rock bass, Zebra mussel, and Lake trout. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–18:00 · favorable

Wind forecast for this hour · 20:00 · run 7 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Depth (~90 ft) in cold dark freshwater; significant surface and bottom currents; Otter Creek runoff can cause ZERO visibility after heavy rain; lights necessary; very fragile shipwreck

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Sat
SunNo window

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Mon8:00–18:00 favorable

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Tue8:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Thu11:00–16:00 moderate

12 kn wind (12 kn wind)

Fri8:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–15:00 moderate, 15:00–18:00 favorable

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

2 kn wind (2 kn wind)

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 6:51 · Sunrise 7:21 · Sunset 17:53 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 13:26 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Water Witch

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: Rock bass, Zebra mussel, Crayfish
Best time: Preserve season (roughly late May–October) in dry, settled weather — avoid the days after heavy rain due to Otter Creek runoff; pick slack-wind days for the open-lake crossing

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.

  1. January, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  2. February, 95% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  3. March, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  5. May, 95% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  6. June, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  7. July, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  10. October, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 89% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 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

Built in 1832 by steamboat pioneer Jahaziel Sherman at the mouth of Otter Creek, Water Witch ran as a steamboat for only a few seasons before her machinery was removed and she was converted to a lake schooner. She foundered in a gale on April 26, 1866 while carrying iron ore, taking the captain's infant daughter down with her. The 83-foot wreck, discovered in 1977, lies in about 90 feet of dark water a quarter mile south of Diamond Island, with her graceful 12-foot tiller bar, draped foremast, and intact bowsprit; the preserve is currently listed as closed.

boatwreck

Depth (~90 ft) in cold dark freshwater; significant surface and bottom currents; Otter Creek runoff can cause ZERO visibility after heavy rain; lights necessary; very fragile shipwreck — avoid any contact; open-lake exposure and boat traffic

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