Check the Union guage ,Watertalk 303 8317135 DIVISION 1 STATION 62,don't see why you couldn't run it at night nothing harder than 3- never seen any strainers.You may actually see some wildlife mukrats,racoon ,foxes ,etc. I like practicing at Liegh Gulch sometimes ,the drops are not all that playable but it's a hellof a lot cleaner than Union with some deep pools to roll in. Then go have a Marg' at the grill.

 

This is the link for the flow from Chatfeild Dam it is the gauge for the 470 put in.

http://www.dwr.state.co.us/Hydrology/flow_graph.asp?ID=PLACHACO&MTYPE=DISCHRG

Right now it reads 20cfs while Union says 57cfs.
When the Chatfeild gauge is at 125ish there is enough water to make it to the grill but alittle shallow it is better at 200+ and a few of the drops have some surf feature 200+400ish cfs most wash out over this.
While the first hole below 470 is surfable at 99cfs and up, it has a smooth bottom kind of like the Bleacher hole at Golden but with a nice V-wave as it gets bigger.

Wish they would start draining the lake I live 5 min from the 470 hole.

 

One problem with a night run is that I think they lock up the put in on the south side of c470 and at the Carson Nature Center{Mineral}.There is a little nieghborhood just above Liegh Gulch where you can access but this would be only like a mile to the grill.Boulder Creek might be funner at night,used to run those winter night releases ...brrrrrrrr

 

I always thought that Deckers would be a great moonlight run. Pretty canyon and that guy with the rage issues that used to live up there died.

 

Little Neighborhood

Cayo mentioned the "little neighborhood" by Liegh Gulch. Is that the one behind the trainler park off of Sante Fe? I've wondered about getting to those drops and if it's ok to park there.

Hope you don't mind me jumping in. I don't usually post but go to c-470 quite a bit.

 

Javannote,
The neighborhood I am talking about is a little south of the trailer court,you access it thru the parking lot of that strip mall with Cold Stone Creamery and head as far north as possible then turn left /west. You will be gearing up in front of somebodies house then carry your boat 150 yds thru the bike path access to the river.1/4 to 1/2 mile of flat water leads to the drops at Liegh,you can carry back to the car or paddle to the grill stash your boat inthe bushes and jog back. If you have someone to boat with just run a shuttle from c-470 or Mineral to make it longer.

 

I know where you mean. Thanks for the info!!

 

looking for shuttle on c-470 to platte grill

Thinking about taking the kid down this section in a ducky this sunday 4/23, anyone want to share shuttle duties?

Any other ideas for rivers this time of year to take the yunguns in a ducky?

 

I would recommend waiting until after the first good Chatfield release (400 + cfs) to float with your kid. Alot of crap builds up duing the low winter flows, it's nice to let it all wash downstream before before paddling.

Just my 2 cents. Have fun!!

 

I would consider Deckers over the C470 Platte section. They are about the same difficulty, but the Deckers stretch is much cleaner, scenic, and enjoyable. Not to mention, you don't have to smell the Platte water all day. Make the extra 45 minute drive, it will be worth it.

 

ssowden - check your pm's - Janek will call you this afternoon.

 

yunguns on the south platte

thanks for the input.
think I will stay out of denver rivers, head for the hills or at least golden/boulder.
Kris-Good to hear from y'all!!
maybe I will bring my boat as well as our new(used) duck.