cpw.state.co.us · Official Brochure
Reservoir fish and park amenities context.
Dive Spot Guide•
Chatfield
Shallow freshwater training dive with silt and novelty objects.
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Colorado reservoir dive area with shore access, a gravel-pond training zone, novelty wreck objects on a rope line, and very low ordinary visibility.
About Chatfield
Chatfield Reservoir in Colorado is a shallow freshwater dive area at altitude, built around the south-side gravel pond and a rope line that links a sunken sailboat, trailer, fire hydrant, and toilet. The bottom is soft silt and mud, so the site rewards slow navigation, close buddy contact, and cold-water planning more than scenic long-range swimming. Freshwater habitat structures along the shore add a little structure to an otherwise murky training site.
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Research Estimate At Chatfield
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 1.5m
AccessSimple entry
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentNo current
SurgeFlat calm
Where Is Chatfield?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Chatfield Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 9.1m
Depth Note
Average depth is about 20 ft, with some small areas reaching about 30 ft.
Best Season
Late spring through early fall, when open-water training and park use are most common.
Typical Conditions
Soft silt and mud bottom, shallow training depths, and low to very low visibility that can change with wind and thermocline.
Safety & Access At Chatfield
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficCold waterLow visibility
Safety Notes
Low visibility can drop fast, so keep close buddy contact and stay on the rope line or local briefing route. Cold water and altitude also make planning matter.
Access Restrictions
Use the south-side gravel pond access and follow Chatfield State Park and dive-flag rules.
Legal Notes
Altitude-dive planning and local dive-flag rules apply in the reservoir.
Local Intel For Chatfield
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A shore-access freshwater training site with a rope line to novelty objects and habitat structures along the eastern shoreline.
Freediving
Not a freedive-first site; the low visibility, altitude, and silt make scuba with a guide more practical.
Snorkeling
Not a strong snorkel target because visibility is usually poor and the bottom stirs easily.
Wildlife at Chatfield
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Chatfield
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Chatfield
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility1.5m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
