Miracle Wave

Miracle wave is mellow knee to waist high glass wave that is a miracle when it comes in on the average of every three years but oh so zen-like to surf it. The wave is located 100 yards down from the the outflow of the Chatfield Reservoir into the S. Platte River at the Chatfield State Park adjacent to the dog park.


Suggestions

Miracle needs a flow of at least a thousand cfs (1,000cfs). The wave is shallow and the water, well it usually is baked with dash of E.coli and added in parasites like giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis for good measure, so don't drink the water. Bring a longboard to surf Miracle wave and be prepared to fall flat as possible due to the rocks right behind and all along the wave. Last time the wave came in it was 2019 and 2016 before that. Unfortunately with the completion of the expansion of the Chatfield Reservoir in 2020 that increased the ability to hold more water, it will take an epic water event (aka crazy amount of rain) or an incredible snow season for the water managers to open up the gates to dump another 1,000cfs or more of water, but never say never.... The first stream gauge to watch for Miracle and many of the other S. Platte surfable waves is the South Platte River Below Chatfield Reservoir (PLACHACO) but the Union gauge is also a good indicator but it is hours down river from Miracle and you will be missing the wave when it comes in and the flow lasts a day or two if not only a few hours... Find more detailed info at http://endlesswaves.net/waves/miracle-wave/ but stick to checking the surf reports at Snoflo for the inside info of when Miracle is surfable.

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Ethan getting the start of the wave showing up at Miracle in June 2019 and he had it dialed in for sure.... Notice how wide and glassy this urban river wave is in metro Denver.

Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
South Platte River At Denver
USGS 06714000
107 cfs 2.8 ft
Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont
USGS 06724970
2 cfs 5.5 ft
South Platte River At Fort Lupton
USGS 06721000
415 cfs 3.6 ft
Left Hand Creek Near Boulder
USGS 06724500
5 cfs 0.2 ft
Chicago Creek Blw Devils Canyon Nr Idaho Sprgs Co
USGS 06717400
-999 cfs -1,310.7 ft
Fall River Near Idaho Springs
USGS 06717000
-999 cfs -1,310.7 ft
Middle Boulder Creek At Nederland
USGS 06725500
7 cfs 0.5 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
The Crags 17 10,120 ft
Meadow Ridge 19 9,177 ft
South Meadows 64 7,897 ft
Colorado 81 7,806 ft
Wildhorn 9 8,856 ft
Mueller State Park 90 9,313 ft
Springdale 13 9,304 ft
Thunder Ridge 21 9,216 ft
Farish Military - USAF Academy None 9,083 ft
Painted Rocks 18 7,836 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Ski Broadmoor 1" 40° 2.92"
Echo Mountain Park 0" 46° 7.03"
Conquistador Ski Resort 7" 40° 2.09"
River Run Streamflow Length Class