Dive Training Magazine
Diving Local Pages

Focus on Lake Travis diving

The lake was created during the construction of Mansfield Dam from 1937 to 1941, and now offers depths to 180 feet at full lake level. Remnants of the Shaker Plant, used to process materials to build the dam, remain at depths accessible to recreational divers but extending to technical dive depths. Many wall sites offer a variety of attractions such as large grottos, sheer walls and large pecan trees. Wreck Alley offers a multitude of boats including large houseboats and sailboats to explore using a line-guided dive trail. Dive boat charters are available to explore sites unaccessible from shore such as Starnes Island, Oasis Wall, Shaker Plant and Wreck Alley. Shore divers can visit Windy Point Dive Park or Mansfield Dam Public Park. Lake Travis is used by many Texas dive shops for recreational and technical dive training and local diving activities.

Depths to: 180 feet.

Visibility: 8-10 feet is average, with visibility exceeding 30 feet in early spring.

Aquatic life: Include channel catfish, crappie, perch, yellow spotted catfish, bass, tilapia.

Fees: Charter boat dives run about $40 for a two-tank dive. Admission to Windy Point Dive Park is $8 weekdays and $15 weekends. Mansfield Dam Park admission is $8 per car. Call in advance for up-to-date pricing.

More info: Visit www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/mansfield_dam.asp, www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/bob_wentz.asp, www.visitburnetcounty.org or www.laketravischamber.com.

Getting there: Lake Travis is about 14 miles northwest of downtown Austin, Texas.