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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David

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.

  • 06-23-2019

Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
South Platte River Above Cheesman Lake
USGS 06700000 		178 cfs 5.3 ft
Beaver Cr Abv Upper Beaver Cemetery Nr Penrose
USGS 07099050 		90 cfs 3.1 ft
West Cr. Abv Shrewsbury Gulch Nr Westcreek Co
USGS 06701700 		1 cfs 5.3 ft
Fountain Creek Near Fountain
USGS 07106000 		140 cfs 7.7 ft
Monument Creek At Palmer Lake
USGS 07103747 		1 cfs ft
Turkey Creek Near Fountain Colo
USGS 07099215 		2 cfs 2.0 ft
Trout Creek Blw Fern Cr Nr Westcreek
USGS 06701620 		1 cfs 3.8 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Wigwam 10 6,606 ft
Clear Creek RV Park 36 5,684 ft
Colorado 81 7,806 ft
Jackson Creek 9 8,179 ft
Trail Creek None 7,844 ft
Painted Rocks 18 7,836 ft
Ouzel 13 6,285 ft
Kelsey 17 8,035 ft
Meadow Park None 5,349 ft
Platte River 10 6,333 ft
Lone Rock 20 6,410 ft
Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds None 5,711 ft
South Meadows 64 7,897 ft
Carter Lake - North Side Campgrounds None 5,792 ft
Chatfield State Park 193 5,494 ft
Mueller State Park 90 9,313 ft
Wye 21 9,773 ft
Osprey 13 6,217 ft
Bear Creek Lake Park 52 5,693 ft
Meadow Ridge 19 9,177 ft
Flatiron Reservoir None 5,483 ft
Wildhorn 9 8,856 ft
Flat Rocks 19 8,245 ft
Boulder County Fairground None 4,974 ft
The Crags 17 10,120 ft
Indian Creek 11 7,562 ft
Standley Lake None 5,530 ft
Springdale 13 9,304 ft
Thunder Ridge 21 9,216 ft
Farish Military - USAF Academy None 9,083 ft
Union Reservoir 42 4,957 ft
Devils Head 21 8,856 ft
St. Vrain State Park 87 4,850 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Echo Mountain Park 27" 54° 21.92"
Conquistador Ski Resort 32" 52° 7.83"
Ski Broadmoor 22" 49° 22.59"
River Run Streamflow Length Class