Sand Hollow Reservoir
Photos and information provided by Divemaster Paul Smith

Summary:

• Dive Park Max Depth 45 ft
• North Dam max Depth 95 ft
• West Dam max Depth 55 ft
• Visibility 15-20 ft
• Temperature 54-76F (surface/seasonal)
• ENTRY FEE: $10/vehicle   (cash only)
• Dive Utah typically runs group trips to Sand Hollow several times each year.
• Sand Hollow State Park info available here.

Sand Hollow State Park is one of the newest parks in the state of Utah. The park is managed by Utah State Parks and Recreation. They began filling the reservoir in 2002 and opened the park in 2003. The park is so new that it doesn’t appear on most of Utah’s road maps.

The reservoir covers 1,300 acres of flooded sand stone formations and is at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level. The warm, blue waters of Sand Hollow have a large population of bass and bluegill.

The scuba and swimming area is south of the boat ramp and is marked with buoys. The scuba area has a maximum depth of 45′ depending on time of year. The North Dam has a maximum depth of 95′ and the West Dam has a maximum depth of 55′. Visibility is normally between 15 to 20 feet. In 2006 a local dive shop placed a Cessna 310 airplane in the reservoir at a depth of 40 feet. There is also a Peak Performance Buoyancy Course for testing your buoyancy skills. Water surface temperature ranges from 54 degrees in the winter to 76 degrees in mid summer. During the summer there is a thermocline at about 20 feet with a temperature that ranges in the mid 60’s. The reservoir is open to diving year round.

The Park is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.. There is a $10.00 entrance fee per vehicle. Currently, the fee is CASH ONLY…and the nearest atm is several miles away.

Sand Hollow State Park is located approximately 15 miles east of St. George, Utah. To get to Sand Hollow from I-15 take the Hurricane Exit 16. Travel east four (4) miles to the Turf Sod Road and turn right. Go one (1) mile and turn left onto the park access road and follow it two (2) miles to the park, then turn left and proceed to the main park entrance.

Health Notice: Sand Hollow Reservoir is currently infested with a condition known as Schistosome Dermatitis, which is a flatworm parasite that causes Swimmer’s Itch. Swimmer’s Itch is a red itchy, bite-like welts that appear on the body several hours after swimming. It’s not a health concern. It’s just something that happens in natural waters and only affects about 1% of the swimmers.

The infested areas are on the east shore and the south shore at Sandy Cove. The parasite inhabits shallow waters with weeded areas.

Treatment for Swimmers Itch may not be necessary when there are only a few itching spots. An antihistamine or corticosteroid cream can be beneficial. If itching is severe or persists longer than three (3) days, a dermatologist should be seen.