D. L. Bliss

diving safety in lake tahoe Exquisite sites for scuba diving can be found throughout Lake Tahoe. While we encourage you to enjoy this activity, we recommend that you dive conservatively. Diving-related accidents occur every year in Lake Tahoe. Because of the high altitude and extremely cold water conditions, it is essential that divers observe all safety precautions. These precautions include: • Wearing appropriate dive gear • Diving only with a buddy • Conducting pre-dive equipment checks • Becoming certified to dive at high altitudes • Using high-altitude dive tables from your local dive store. BE SAFE AND ENJOY! California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (530) 525-9528. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Emerald Bay & D.L. Bliss Underwater State Parks 9881 Highway 89, Tahoma, CA 96142 (530) 525-9528 © 2012 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper Diver’s Guide Emerald Bay & D.L. Bliss Underwater State Parks Emerald Bay Underwater Park Breathtaking Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. As a scuba diver in Emerald Bay, you will enjoy the lake from an entirely different perspective—one that most visitors will never experience. The bay is the final resting place for a number of boats, launches and barges that were used in the construction of Vikingsholm castle in the late 1900s. Certified divers have the unique opportunity to explore these classic artifacts, which sank more than a century ago during the heyday of the legendary Emerald Bay Resort. Barge Dive Site (Boat Access) In 1994, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, in cooperation with California State Parks, installed a mooring buoy at the Barge Dive Site, located on the southeast shore of Emerald Bay. At this site, divers can visit two large historic barges with California’s first underwater interpretive panel in approximately 35 feet of water. Emerald Forest Dive Site (Boat Access) The Emerald Forest dive site is the result of a dramatic 1955 landslide, when the steep slope above Highway 89 collapsed and slid into Emerald Bay, southeast of Vikingsholm. The landslide scar is still visible from the Vikingsholm Day Use parking lot. The effect of the collapse can be seen in the dive site, where large tree trunks rise from the depths, creating a stunning underwater forest. All artifacts discovered while diving in the park are protected by state law and may not be disturbed or removed, regardless of size or value. D.L. BLISS Underwater Park Lester Beach (Vehicle Access & Parking) Deep diving off of the Rubicon Wall, south of Lester Beach in D.L. Bliss State Park, has become an exceptionally popular activitiy for advanced divers. Due to the clarity of the water and the spectacular geologic formations, the site ranks as one of the world’s most beautiful dives. diving-related emergencies • Bring the victim to the surface SLOWLY! • Activate Emergency Medical Services: > Call 9-1-1. A telephone is located at the Vikingsholm visitor center (see symbol on map) > The marine radio emergency channel is 16. Call the Coast Guard Station at Lake Tahoe. • Contact Divers Alert Network at (919) 684-9111 to find the nearest available hyperbaric chamber.