The Underwater Life of Lake Pleasant: What Exactly Can Divers Expect to See?

If you’ve only ever dived in the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, your first descent into Lake Pleasant might feel like a bit of a mystery. The water is cooler, the color is a deep emerald green, and the landscape is rugged. But as your eyes adjust and you settle into your buoyancy, you’ll realize that the “Pleasant” is teeming with life and history.

At 72 Aquatics, we believe Lake Pleasant is one of the best classrooms in the world. It builds tough, capable divers, but it also offers a unique underwater experience that you simply can’t find in the ocean. Here is the field guide to what awaits you beneath the surface.

The Resident “Lake Monsters”: Fish and Crustaceans

The lake is home to several species of freshwater fish that are surprisingly curious about divers.

• Bass and Sunfish: Largemouth bass and various sunfish are the most common sightings. They often hang out near the submerged rock walls or around the training platforms.

• The Giant Catfish: If you explore the deeper ledges or the structures of the old dam, you might come face-to-face with a Flathead or Channel Catfish. These giants can grow quite large and often hide in the shadows, their long whiskers twitching as you swim by.

• The Crawfish (Mini Lobsters): The rocky bottoms of the lake are bustling with crawfish. They are the scavengers of the lake, and watching them scuttle across the silt or defend their little rocky “caves” is a highlight of any shallow dive.

Submerged History: The Old Waddell Dam

The most iconic “sight” in Lake Pleasant isn’t alive at all. Before the new dam was completed in the 1990s, the original Waddell Dam was partially submerged.

• The Experience: Diving along the face of the old dam is an incredible feeling. Seeing the massive concrete structure, the old intake towers, and the sheer scale of the engineering now claimed by the lake is a powerful reminder of Arizona’s history. It’s a favorite spot for those practicing their SSI Deep Diving or Navigation skills.

Sunken Treasures (and Training Props)

Because Lake Pleasant is such a popular training site, local dive groups have added “attractions” over the years to give divers something to find.

• Training Platforms: Essential for practicing skills like mask clears and buoyancy without disturbing the lake bottom.

• The “Wrecks”: Scattered around the popular dive coves like Vista Point and Desert Tortoise, you’ll find sunken boats, a “Christmas Tree” forest (complete with ornaments!), and various statues. These items serve as excellent navigation waypoints during your SSI Navigation specialty.

The Ever-Changing Landscape: Forests of the Deep

Depending on the water level, you can find yourself swimming through “forests” of submerged mesquite and palo verde trees.

• The Visuals: These skeletal trees create a hauntingly beautiful backdrop for photos. They also serve as nurseries for small fish, making them one of the most biodiverse areas of the lake. Just remember to maintain your Perfect Buoyancy to avoid getting snagged on the branches!

Why Dive the Lake?

Diving Lake Pleasant isn’t about looking for “Nemo”; it’s about appreciating a different kind of beauty. It’s about the silence of the deep green, the thrill of finding a giant catfish in the dark, and the satisfaction of navigating successfully to a submerged piece of history.

Completing your SSI Open Water certification or continuing your education at Lake Pleasant means you aren’t just a “vacation diver”—you’re an Arizona diver. You’re part of a community that knows the desert’s best-kept secret.

Ready to see it for yourself? We head to the lake regularly for training and fun dives. Check out our Calendar to see when we’re headed out next, or sign up for a specialty course to see the lake through a whole new lens!