Lake Amistad’s Scuba Cove Closed as Low Water Restricts Boat Access

The National Park Service says the Diablo East Marina Cove, Scuba Cove and associated walkway at Amistad National Recreation Area are closed because of excessive docking material, an unsafe walkway and dock, and unstable, loose ground. The park has not published a reopening date, stating that the area will reopen after the hazards are corrected.

This is a closure of the designated Scuba Cove at Diablo East, not a blanket prohibition on scuba diving throughout Lake Amistad. The park’s standing diving guidance permits diving in other suitable areas while closing marinas, designated mooring and docking areas, protected swimming areas, the restricted zone behind Amistad Dam, the Rio Grande below the dam and areas near two submerged dams in the Devils River.

Divers using another part of the reservoir must display the standard red-and-white dive flag. Scuba Cove normally has “Boats Keep Out” buoys and is the one area where the park does not require the individual flag, but that exception offers no access while the cove itself is closed.

Boat access is also severely constrained by low reservoir levels. The current NPS status table lists only part of the Diablo East ramp and the Rough Canyon low-water ramp as open among the principal launch facilities. Spur 406 and the low-water Spur 454 access are also listed as usable, but the park identifies them as old roadways rather than conventional ramps and warns that they may be too shallow for many boats. Numerous other ramps remain closed.

Divers, instructors and charter operators should therefore confirm both the intended dive location and the day’s launch status before traveling. A closed boat ramp may sometimes remain available to lightweight craft that can be carried to the water unless separately posted, but that does not override the Scuba Cove closure or authorize entry through unsafe ground and walkway areas.

The access picture can change quickly with reservoir level and repair work. Trip plans should use the NPS current-conditions page rather than older descriptions that still promote Scuba Cove as the park’s standard diver entry point.