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Mt. Storm and Vepco Lake
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Submitted By:
Mike Struchen
Submitter Comments:
This lake is the cooling "pond" (1,200 acres) for a coal fired electric generating plant. The water temps range from the upper 80s in the summer to the 50s in the winter - provided the generators are pumping. The max depth is around 130 feet if you follow the stream bed, There are several platforms for training and had lines connecting them. Not much for amenities, just a couple of port-a-johns. No local dive shop, so bring everything you need. The parking lot is huge and the entry isn't too bad, down a short path. I've been there several times and the vis wasn't all that great - 10 to 20 feet, but water temps in the winter make up for it! This is an altitude dive for most of us at around 3,200 feet so plan accordingly.
Directions:
US Rt 50 to Mt. Storm, WV WV Rt 42 South to WV Rt 93 about 4 miles WV Rt 93 West to Mt. Storm Lake about 1.5 miles before power plant on left side
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Diver
Reviews: (Please share your
own experiences by clicking
here!)
03/11/2008 Debra Everhart (Avg: 3.04 Review) - For those of us who are land locked…this is a great place. The warm water is the big draw. The lake water cools the power plant across the way and that's what keeps it so warm. The air temp and wind can be troublesome, though, being that we are in the mountains. Also remember that technically this is an altitude dive. There are two 25 foot platforms, a 50 foot, and a 100 foot. Tons of catfish and some big carp.
01/13/2007 S McRoberts (Avg: 4.00 Review) - I did my open water, advanced open water, and rescue dive at MT Storm. I feel there is no better place to train or just go diving!
12/03/2006 Colin (Avg: 2.21 Review) - I just completed my OW dives here. The water is warm for a northern lake (68 degrees in November). Visibility was poor (3-8 ft). Lots of curious catfish. A couple of training platforms are located at 25 feet, one marked by a buoy. Deeper ones exist but I don't know where they are. Site gets to around 130 feet. Didn't venture nearly that far down. Ominous power plant across the lake. Not your Florida Keys diving, but a good place to do some training dives, refresh your skills, or try out equipment in the winter without venturing to the tropics!
10/29/2006 Bob Sanders (Avg: 3.10 Review) - Warm Water!!!!
07/11/2006 Eric from Winchester (Avg: 2.21 Review) - I did my open water dives here, and have done some refresher work here as well. There is not much in the way of aquatic life: a few catfish, and sporadic vegetation. However, the visibility has always been 20-30 feet when I have been there in the winter. I have heard that the spring and summer are worse due to boat activity. It is an altitude dive for those working on an Advanced Open Water or Altitude specialty course. All in all, it isn't a bad place to dive if you are looking to get wet and you would like to go without a wetsuit in the winter! One note of caution, I, along with a couple buddies, did get hit with hypoxia there. As with any altitude dive, take your time and rest often!
ShoreDiving Resources:
Additional Resources:
Dive Site Links: (If you have a
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here.)
DeepWater.org -- Find an underwater site map here.
Deep Water -- Mt. Storm information and dive map
Dive Site Pictures: (If you have pictures
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Mt Storm plant.
Submitted by Debra Everhart
Diver
Averages for Mt. Storm and Vepco Lake (1=worst,
5=best) |
Number of reviews for this site: 5
1664-6-19-1
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3.60
3.00
2.00
2.20
4.20
3.20