Revision 10/14/2011 1:38 PM
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Chatfield State Recreation Area Main Reservior
 11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd, Littleton, CO 80215
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Max Depth: 61-70ft/19-21m
Average Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Clay/Muck
Aquatic Life: None
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Spring: Under 50°F/10°C
Summer: 56-60°F/13-16°C
Fall: 50-55°F/10-13°C
Winter: Under 50°F/10°C
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This is about the deepest spot on the main lake. The depth is about 60’ depending on water level. Surface visibility is poor about 5’ or less but visibility at the bottom is much better probably greater than 20’. The silt above filters out all of the visible light so dive lights are mandatory even during the day. Bottom is silt and kicks up easy. Occasionally you’ll see fish swim by. Boating traffic makes diving here very hazardous. Although the park rangers try and discourage diving in the main lake it is legal as long as you display a dive flag within 50’ of the divers. Following an anchor line from a large boat would be the most recommended method of entry and egress. Personally I only dive here to do deep dive certifications or to recover lost objects. Wear a full wetsuit with gloves, boots and a hood or you’ll be very uncomfortable.
Gravel bed pond used for local certification diving. Bottom is soft silt and thus visibility is usually quite poor, typically less than 5 feet. Typical depth is about 20’ with small areas ranging around 30’. Several bass habitats have been put in place along the eastern shoreline. A sunken sailboat with trailer, a firehydrant and a toilet all on a rope line stretching between them have also been put in place for your amusement. Diving is by permit only available through the park office
Another training site in Denver, the diving is actually not in the reservoir, but in a gravel pond just south west of the actual storage facility. Only about 20’ deep, lots of junk to see like a sunk boat, washing machine, shopping cart and the requisite toilet.