Exploratory Dive: Clear Lake, Oregon - Crystal Clear Water!

At "Wonders in the Deep," we're always searching for new dive sites to showcase, particularly those linked to scripture and history. Recently, we visited Clear Lake, a hidden treasure in the Cascade Mountains, with some of the dubbies.

Diving at higher altitudes involves additional risk because of the reduced atmospheric pressure when surfacing. This results in a greater pressure change from underwater to the surface at higher elevations. Clear Lake is situated at 3,012 feet above sea level, which isn't particularly high for the West Coast mountain range, yet it's high enough to necessitate precautions such as extended safety stops and slower ascents.

Along with having crystal clear water, it is also unique because it hides a forest of tree trunks, flooded several thousand years ago. Many scientists believe a lava flow from Sand Mountain to the east erupted about 3,000 years ago, pouring lava over the landscape and pinching off what is now the McKenzie River, burning the forest as it moved. Upon reaching the river it created a dam, and at the point it stopped flowing the dam backed up the water submerging the remaining forest along the stream under 120ft of water. Even at the 3,000 year mark assigned by secular geologists it places the formation of the lake and preservation of the trees after the global flood, possibly even around the time of the Tower of Babel or later at the time of Christ. It is worth noting that a few creationists familiar with the geology of the Cascade Mountains believe the formation of clear lake may have been even more recent than the 2-3 thousand year old date secular geologists connect with the Sand Mountain volcanic field.

The wooden trunks remain intact due to the lake's distinct properties. Water emerges from craters, passing through white volcanic ash from the underlying lava tubes, and enters the lake at around 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1.11 degrees Celsius), maintaining a low temperature. In winter, the surface freezes along the edges. This creates a hazardous environment for diving without proper equipment and training. Even with dry suits and several layers of warm clothing, we can only remain submerged for about 45 minutes before hypothermia sets in, causing uncontrollable shivering. As water efficiently draws heat from our bodies, a swimmer without a dry suit would lose consciousness within 15-30 minutes, and without rescue, death would soon follow.

The icy water acts as a pristine bath, like a snow globe, preserving the submerged forest in a refrigerator of God's design. As a result, Clear Lake exemplifies God's power, beauty, and his ingeniously resilient creation.

It's fascinating to consider that we are diving in a forest of trees that existed during the time of Christ, or perhaps were among the first forests to emerge after the global flood described in Genesis chapters 6-8.

With your help we can turn this site into an episode to bless families in the future. Please consider supporting future episodes of "Wonders in the Deep" below to produce educational, adventurous Christian programing for future generations.

DONATE HERE