The main reservoir release gate will be reduced from 350 to 315 cfs, and the fish hatchery will remain at 5 cfs today, Monday, July 8, 2024.
RRP: With only a 35cfs reduction to 315cfs out of the dam, we will still have excellent surf at Wave Sixx; but, we are now historically “on pins and needles” for Chatfield flow….
Last year we basically hit “Day Zero” on July 10th, 2023 when they turned off surfable flow out of the Chatfield reservoir dam. We then got some August spikes of surfable flow. Difference this year is, we had a late big snowpack. Not sure if that means we will see surfable flows beyond this week or not especially w/ a bad heat wave headed our way by end of the week….
So as Wilbur warns us, go surfing if you can while it is here.
Scout: Starting to see crowds in the line-up on the cam as the flow drops down toward a 1,000cfs. Scout Wave still needs to be approached with caution for your own safety analysis based on your individual risk tolerance level, as the swims were reported to be not all that friendly and there has been no update on leash hazards from boards getting stuck on the top wall.
Live cam for Scout- https://coloradowebcam.net/camera/salida-co-lower-wave-arkansas-river-zoom-tenderfoot-mt
Pueblo: As the flow drops we might be seeing the last surfable week(s) for the Levee Waves 3 and 4.
Pueblo new wave report from this past extended holiday weekend (by Dr. Raf):
Surfed it with Casey and Dave on Thursday at 2300cfs, and Saturday & Sunday ~ 1300 with Julian, Ben and Ward (on Sunday). At 2300 it felt powerful but surfer’s left was getting flat and flushy. Really big pile on surfer’s right that felt like surfing in the ocean when you do a roundhouse and go back in the foam. Super cool. It actually surfed better at 1300 with a more uniform face across the whole wave. It’s a little more powerful on surfer’s right, but very clean and fun all the way across. Sit down starts possible on both sides….
My added note from vids sent to me of Sunday surfing at the new wave is: Below the wave, the eddy lines are now working to get to the wall from below the wave.
Also, above the P-town new wave it is a busy construction zone. Stay off of the river left bank (goofy foot side) at the wave since that is where the big machinery and trucks are moving in and out of the park removing rocks and concrete from the old diversion dam site.
River Surfing Tip: “Day Zero” for river surfing is the point at which a river’s water flow supply is nearly completely depleted, leaving the downriver waves unsurfable.
Historically the S. Platte River sees this happening sometime in July. The upper Arkansas River sees this happening mid August as a result of the Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFMP) that tries to guarantee environmental and recreational flows to August 15th of each year. Though, during years of additional snowpack or late season monsoon rain storms, the season may extend. For example, two years ago the S Platte benefitted from a robust late monsoon season that resulted in additional surf days well into August for Wave Sixx. Last year the upper Arkansas River had so much extra water, that the season extended well into late August.
Now you know…. Go surf it!
LBK
The Denver Surf Report 