Lake Powell , Arizona , and Utah

Receding water levels might disappoint some divers but that's not the case at the 100-mile-long Lake Powell , which straddles the Arizona-Utah border. In many ways the lower level has put within reach sites that used to be too deep for recreational divers. And dive operators are even more excited about something relatively new at Lake Powell : spearfishing. The sport is growing in popularity after the National Park Service decided last spring to allow the sport for at least three years. On the Arizona side, spearfishing is limited to striped bass and carp. Utah regulations allow spearfishermen to take two of anything. Divers should contact the National Park Service for an explanation of all the rules. One downside to the lower water level is the limited number of access points from shore. What had been a short walk from the car is now a much more challenging hike across rugged terrain. Most divers launch from boats at one of the marinas, the main one at the south end being Wahweap Marina. Don't count on finding dive shops anywhere along the shore. The closest full-service dive shop to Lake Powell is in Page, Arizona , a community of 6,000 that provides many amenities for lake users.

Depths to: 560 feet (170 m) at the dam.

Visibility: 15 feet (5 m) in the summer and up to 60 feet (18 m) in the winter.

Water temperature: 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) in the winter and up to 80 F (27 C) in the summer. You'll find the first thermocline about 30 feet (9 m) from the surface.

Aquatic life: Largemouth and striped bass, black crappie, catfish, bluegill, rainbow trout and walleye.

On-site amenities: Marinas around the lake provide several services.

Fees: Weekly vehicle fee is $20; annual fee, $30.

Open: Year-round.

More information: Visit the National Park Service Web site at www.nps.gov/glca/ or the Page-Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce at www.pagelakepowellchamber.org/.

Getting there: Lake Powell can be reached from the south on U.S. Highway 89 at Page, Arizona , or from the north and east on either highways 276 or 263.