Lake Tahoe — Rubicon Wall

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Lake Tahoe sits at 1,897 m (6,225 ft) on the California–Nevada border — at this altitude, every dive is altitude-decompression diving (theoretical depth offsets, longer surface intervals, conservative profiles, extended no-fly windows). The Rubicon Wall on the west shore (Emerald Bay / D.L. Bliss SP area) is the iconic site: a granite escarpment dropping straight from shallow water to several hundred metres. In 1994 California State Parks extended Emerald Bay State Park to include the surrounding water, making it one of California's first underwater parks and protecting the wrecks and historic items on the bay floor. Water clarity is famous — Tahoe Secchi readings have hovered around 20 m, among the clearest large lakes in North America. Year-round dive in theory, but ice/snow access and cold deep-water temps make Jun–Oct the practical window. Drysuit + altitude/cold training mandatory.