Dive Site Access
40.5818467,-105.1597514
Shore or boat access. Shore diving available for scuba diving only if the parking lot area is open. Parking limited between two lots – upper and lower. The parking signs infer this area is open from dawn to dusk, but that is not the case – check with Larimer County rangers for the gate’s actual open hours (which vary based on season and activity).
Area is shared with a picnic area, paddleboard rentals, swimming, biking, scuba diving, fishing, which can make it very crowded. Boaters must abide by the local regulations.
Features of the Dive Site
Large rocks, sandy areas, and even an engine block, which can be moved around as the water levels rise and fall. There is a swim area and a non-swim area, which can offer safety and protection (boundaries) for your diving with your dive buoy, or complications for traveling with your dive buoy – however you see it. High water offers a few trees that can be used for navigating very shallow water.
Sights
Small Mouth Bass, juvenile Yellow Perch, and sometimes possibly juvenile Blue Gill may be seen in the shallow areas in the spring while the water is cooler. Walleye may be seen in the deeper areas, but are very skittish. Crawdads may be seen regularly, depending on the weather and temperatures. Look for underwater trees which may shelter juvenile species. Mostly, the area is covered in “treasures” such as beer cans, White Claw cans, kid toys, dog toys, underwear (?), flip flops and other items of various anthropological interest.
Diver Cautions
Weather can come up on you quickly and you cannot see storms moving in due to the angle of sign over the mountains. This can create a small current and high waves, making exits difficult. Summer can produce high levels of wind, lightning, rain and hail. CHECK CONDITIONS for 1-3 hours during and after you plan to dive. Know before you go.
Paddleboarders, swimmers and swimming dogs can be a risk to you as you surface, so be sure to surface under your own buoy with at least one hand up.
Additionally, if you navigate too far west, you will be outside the no-boat area, which can be dangerous for surfacing. When the water is high, the diving area is actually quite small, so stay above 40′ to stay within the no-boat areas. Additionally, there is a large amount of iron at various places at this dive site, which can upset your compass readings – especially towards the north end of the dive site. Be sure to trust your general direction or choose to turn around and head back if you encounter compass issues.
What to Bring
Park pass, buoy, line, reel, trash bag, cutting tool. Dress for the weather. Bring a torch if you plan to go below 30′ on a darker/low vis day.
General Regulations
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