Sierra Blogging Post Archives

When planning a trip to Utah, the last thing on people's minds is scuba diving. But if you're headed that way and are so inclined, you can do a little snorkeling or scuba diving just west of Salt Lake City at Bonneville Seabase, an aquatic center in the heart of the Utah desert.

Bonneville Seabase, operated by George Sanders and Linda Nelson, is a private marine experiment open year-round to the public for snorkeling and scuba diving. Development of the desert aquarium, which utilizes warm desert springs naturally fed by the ancient salt beds of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, cost the couple about one million dollars.



The spring-fed salt water doesn't have the same salinity as the ocean, but it's close enough to support thousands of tropical fish (snappers, angelfish, butterfly fish and more) and two nine-foot nurse sharks.

“Our water doesn’t have enough magnesium or sulfate compared to the ocean, and the pH is too low, but the fish are doing fine,” Ms. Nelson said.

Nelson and Sanders see Bonneville Seabase, and other experiments like it, as the future of scuba diving. As the oceans (unfortunately) deteriorate, it will become increasingly difficult to see marine life in the wild. Many aquariums - the Georgia Aquarium most notably - have also begun to offer scuba diving in their large tanks.

“It’s a vision from the future of diving,” said Mr. Douglas, the shark expert, alluding to environmental changes. “You used to be able to zip to the Florida Keys and see pristine reefs and stunning sea life, but it’s no longer that easy.”

But because of blooming algae and murky water, Bonneville Seabase is far from a pristine diving experience. I, for one, would certainly prefer to dive in the ocean. But for those who happen to find themselves landlocked and jonesing for a dive, places like Bonneville offer options.

Read the entire article in the New York Times.