Things will be warming up today and doubt Chatfield water managers will alter the 110cfs release. The natural flow will be a guess today if and how it will keep things surfable at Sixx and Chiclets today.
As the day warms up starting mid morning, we might see an initial drop in flow and then a bump up from melting snow in the hills. I give it a 50/50 chance of staying surfable today at Sixx.
Water temp is starting out at 45° and will slowly climb into the 50’s. Temps that will still need cold water wetsuits w/ hoods and thick booties and gloves.
Keep an eye on the cam as we all try to predict from the sticky RRP gauge that hangs up for hours at a time.
RRP gauge (double check the reported time): https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/StationsLite/PLAUNICO?params=DISCHRG
Sixx Cam (updates 15min to 7pm): https://www.senserasystems.com/public/embed/3M7824646H83
Scout: Salida was ironically warmer yesterday than the FRange and flows hit from 250cfs to 300cfs. Reports are the wave at these low flows is surfing better this season than last season as the repairs to the back pool are producing a wave. Scout wave is more vertical not as flushy and is allowing for fun turns. More of the same up at Scout today.
Gear: Going to try to update you on deals and gear news here on the daily report…. Starting with the QR Leash…
My concern about QR leashes have been made and I have proffered up a temp fix to the problem of unsafe QR leashes (zip tie mod), though I did just the other day on internet search discover the UK research full report that has put all QR leashes in question. Interestingly the study was made available on Dec 12, 2023 and ACA nor AW have bothered to obtain and review or comment officially on the UK study that has led Paddle UK to ban leashes in their events and recommend no leashes of ANY type until a failsafe self-releasing leash is developed.
ACA (American Canoe Assoc) officially states that the choice to use a leash should be based on self-education.. So to help out with that for river surfing (not SUP) I have updated my review from last year on leashes to include NOT recommending rescue vest pfd as a river wave leash system. Link to comprehensive leash review: https://denversurfreport.blog/2024/04/19/river-surf-leashes-critical-review/
Sorry about the long rant on the surf report. Though it is Sunday morning as we wait for the warmer air and water for a possible Sixx surf.
LBK
The Denver Surf Report 