The main reservoir release gate will be increased from 650 cfs to 750, and the fish hatchery will remain at 5 cfs today, Thursday, June 20, 2024.
RRP: No indications the higher flows out of the Chatfield reservoir are going to subside anytime soon.
Sixx will blow out shortly. Before it likely blows out completely in the next hours it is/was fun with a bigger board but the turns are slow and mushy. Big Benni’s is at excellent range but might need some shaping as we get a 100cfs more. Watch those corner dead zones at Big Benni’s and consider some added floatation such as an impact vest or a pfd. Stay calm and surf, while keeping an eye on each other. Chiclets is probably going to blow out as well.
Golden: Cold Bingo is up but go with someone who knows that wave.
Scout (Salida): The flow is stepping down and the wave is a bit wider. Still an expert only wave. The flow at over 2,000cfs is a much angrier river than a 1,000cfs that was surfed as about the highest flow we surfed last year. When in doubt don’t go out and default to “plan b or plan c” of other spots to surf that are manageable or just chill for a bit until the Arkansas River gets closer to a thousand cfs.
Pueblo: Levee 3 and 4 waves are working (might need a bit bigger board for wave 3 and wave 4 can be difficult to get into). P-town new wave? No intel on that wave but my guess is the eddy service might still be difficult to non-existent at current flows pushing toward 3,000cfs.
River Surf Tip: Do you know what “flush drowning” is and how it can happen to you or any person in a stronger flowing reach of a river? Educate yourself.
We will be doing a story about an able and good river surfer who perished 5 years ago in June 2019 surfing “Staircase Wave” in BV from flush drowning while wearing a Coast Guard Approved pfd.
Here is an article I published last year on the blog about flush drowning and how to avoid it: https://denversurfreport.blog/2023/07/08/flush-drowning-you-need-to-know-about-it-2/
Be smart about your river surfing and have safety in mind while you and others are having fun.
LBK
The Denver Surf Report 