Below Are FAQ’s On Denver Surf Report New Location:
What is The Denver Surf Report and Where Is It Now? The Denver Surf Report has returned to focusing basically on the metro-Denver area landlocked surf scene and can be located at https://surfcollusionzine.substack.com
Why did Supercritical Flows end publication? For a hot moment there, we wanted to become the Surfline for river surfing and be a repository of intel and surf forecast for river wave locations throughout North America and the world … Reality, it was not worth the effort trying to create a river surfing version of Surfline….. People were not utilizing Supercritical Flows for its intended purpose of informing themselves about different surfable river wave break throughout North America and beyond of how and when to surf those waves safely.
What Happened? Sadly when we asked those who were river wave leaders to provide intel and surf report conditions on rivers waves as locals or as visitors to include how to safely surf those river waves, those leaders were either non-responsive or unwilling or in some cases were misinforming others about river waves. So, instead of promoting river surfing as what it has become, a selfish activity, Supercritical Flows was shut down.
Do you still get the forecasted flows often hours before it is seen hitting the gauges? Yes, I personally still get the Chatfield Dam release forecast and the same intel for the Pueblo Dam releases well before you see it reflected on the gauges. I will post up the Chatfield Dam release forecast during the river surf season.
But how do surfers get the surf reports for RRP? Go to The Denver Surf Report and subscribe while it is free and when I update forecasted flows, you will get an e-mail alert… It is free now, but I might charge a fee later depending on how generous I feel or not generous. Look for the forecasts to start back up in late March or early April. https://surfcollusionzine.substack.com
Why not just check the Chatfield and RRP gauges on line or use an app? Go ahead Sparky just check the gauges. That might work for your needs, but I will know when the flows will go up, down, or hold. You can salivate on the gauges and hope for the best… Psst, 2026 RRP is looking like a crappy season, so lack of info is on you.
Why isn’t the Chatfield and Pueblo Dam Flow Releases Public? I have requested and suggested that the State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Colorado Water Conservations Board (DNR) post the pending dam release information to the public to subscribe to via the Colorado’s Decision Support Systems (CDSS). The response provided was that the DNR would like to publish the pending dam flow information but there are no plans to make the information available online.
Will all river waves in Colorado and other states get detailed release information and surf reports? Nope, just RRP (Chatfield Dam Release).
What about the Pueblo Dam Release Info for 2026? Most likely will not be published this next season or beyond.
Why No Longer Publish the Pueblo Dam Release Info? Last year the Pueblo City Council passed a draconian law that requires use of bulky kayak or bulky wakeboard Coast Guard Approved personal floatation devices (CGA PFDs). This law was a copy cat of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) CGA PFD law for river waves such as Scout Wave in Salida, CO. Unfortunately, no locals bothered to show up at Pueblo City Council meetings to contest the new Pueblo law that requires use of CGA PFDs (no impact surf vests or competition vests allowed) at threat of fines and potentially criminal arrest, that includes when river surfing the new wave at Waterworks Park and the Levee Waves. The Pueblo CGA PFD law was then signed into law by the Republican Pueblo Mayor…. Personally, I am not going to go surf Pueblo if I am forced by threat of law enforcement to have to use a bulky kayak life jacket or a bulky wakeboard CGA PFD that I find is too much floatation and is not constructed properly for paddling a surf board. So, I will not waste my time posting up daily Pueblo Dam release info since I am hence forward boycotting the Pueblo river waves and the lack of proactive Pueblo surf scene.
Why Boycott Salida, Buena Vista and Pueblo Waves? Two reasons to boycott the Salida, Buena Vista, and Pueblo Waves. First is the CGA PFD law that does not exempt river surfers for lower floatation/bulky life vests such as surf impact vests or competition wakeboard vests. People are just ignoring the CGA PFD laws and claim they are not enforced by the Park Rangers or Police. This not smart nor appropriate response to the CGA PFD laws. Second is the CGA PFD laws promote using dangerous so called “quick release” leashes that have been proven time after time to not work and have caused near fatal accidents and deaths in whitewater features such as river waves and rapids. Note, the new Buena Vista Wave, “Pocket Wave 2.0“, safety is in question as it is situated above rapids that have resulted in three “flush drownings” over the recent years despite the victims having CGA PFDs on.
What else will you get if you subscribe to the Substack Denver Surf Report? Gonzo journalism for landlocked surfing news of all types. Go check it out… https://surfcollusionzine.substack.com
If you see me on the metro-Denver waves (river or concrete), let me know how you like or dislike the Substack Denver Surf Report….
LBK
REMEMBER….. RIVER SURFING IS DANGEROUS AND CAN BE DEADLY- educate yourself before trying to river surf… don’t just blindly copy other river surfers… figure out how to safely river surf each individual spot (including different flows)….. and be critical in your decisions of what gear to use and not to use…… WHEN IN DOUBT, DON’T GO OUT!
The Denver Surf Report 