The main reservoir release gate will be reduced from 750 to 600cfs, and the fish hatchery will remain at 5 cfs today, Monday, June 24, 2024.
Looking like the water above and into Chatfield Reservoir is slowing down and we are starting to see a step down of the release out of the Chatfield Dam that will likely trend over the next days/week. Today is not going to be enough of a drop to make for the classic tall Sixx Wave since there is a 100cfs already in the river below the dam. Hard to predict when we will hit the sweet spot of below 600cfs at Sixx itself.
RRP: Sixx will likely be blown out (except for longboards) since there is currently extra flow in the river. But you might want to keep an eye on the cam and the Union gauge (see links below). Big Benni’s will be working and that wave is so fun at these higher flows. Get Benni’s now (as in today) because we have no idea how long we will have enough flow for Big Benni’s. Chiclets is a strange wave right now and is best for bodyboarding and our kayaker play-boat friends.
Sixx Wave cam (still pics every 15min until 7pm)- https://www.senserasystems.com/public/embed/3M7824646H83
Union Gauge (RRP flow, note it hangs up so look at the raw data and check the hour)- https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/StationsLite/PLAUNICO?params=DISCHRG
Metro-Denver Other Waves: Cold Bingo is up. I need to go look at Beavers to see how crazy that wave is. Nothing else besides Big Benni’s at RRP is really worth it.
Scout (Salida): Denver bodyboarder Andres did a live stream from the side of Scout this morning. The wave is big and steep! Andres got a great day of surfing yesterday but said the lineup was crowded. Weekday crowd might be currently better. Both sides of the wave are accessible for suitcase drops or prone in drops for pop-ups. Secondary wave and swims are still not for beginners or those who don’t have river knowledge and skills.
Pueblo: The levee waves of 3 & 4 should be good. The flow is 3,000cfs and for the P-town new wave (despite it being surfable) is probably too high for the risks of getting over to the wave. Might want to wait for the flow to drop before trying the P-town new wave.
River Surfing Tips: Self educate!! There is very little to no river surfing specific safety education out there, even if you spent the money and time to take a swift water training class (it is kayak specific with some SUP programing) or went and got lessons from a SUP shop that also teaches river surfing. Hate to say it but you need to dig around and read books on whitewater kayaking (like William Nealy’s books) and watch YouTube vids to gleam what you can about rivers and how it applies to river surfing safety.
Go surf and self educate, not like any organization or shop is really providing river surfing safety tips (except for Bend Oregon Park and Rec at their river wave)….
LBK
The Denver Surf Report 