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Map of Willow Lake Recreation Area
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Shore entry

Willow Lake Recreation Area

Iowa, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested2–8 m (5–25 ft) depthShore entry

Willow Lake Recreation Area at a glance

Willow Lake Recreation Area is a shore dive site in Iowa, United States with depths of 1.5–7.6 m (5–25 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Bluegill, Crappie, and Largemouth bass. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 8:00–9:00 · moderate

Wind forecast for this hour · 21:00 · run 9 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Limited depth, weedy margins, occasional poor visibility after wind or rain

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

SunNo window

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Mon8:00–9:00 moderate, 10:00–13:00 moderate, 13:00–19:00 favorable

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

Tue8:00–11:00 moderate, 13:00–15:00 moderate, 17:00–19:00 moderate

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–11:00 moderate, 11:00–16:00 favorable, 16:00–19:00 moderate

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Fri8:00–10:00 moderate, 10:00–19:00 favorable

11 kn wind (11 kn wind)

Sat8:00–10:00 favorable, 10:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 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 7:18 · Sunrise 7:47 · Sunset 18:26 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 12:26 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Willow Lake Recreation Area

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: Bluegill, Largemouth bass
Best time: After a week or more of calm summer weather

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, 75% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 67% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  3. March, 55% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 33% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 16 knots
  5. May, 73% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
  6. June, 72% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 87% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  8. August, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  9. September, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  10. October, 60% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  11. November, 69% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
  12. December, 74% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots

August has 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 July 2026

Site details

A 27-acre county lake near Woodbine in western Iowa that has become a regular dive spot for the Greater Omaha SCUBA Club. Visibility averages 10-15 ft and can reach about 25 ft after stretches of calm weather. Maximum depth varies from about 22-25 ft with lake levels, with a median depth around 12-15 ft, and the surrounding 220-acre recreation area offers camping and other facilities.

shore

Limited depth, weedy margins, occasional poor visibility after wind or rain

Reviews

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