Descriptors in the interactive SUP Map and summary table are explained below:
Scenery (scale 1-5): Factors that affect a scenery rating include: photogenic setting, vertical scale of backdrop, photogenic shoreline features such as forests or cliffs, pristine vs. developed surroundings.
Examples:
1 – Boyd Lake: minimal immediate topography, expansive body of water with few protected areas, developed surroundings.
2 – Chatfield Gravel Ponds: limited shoreline topography, semi-developed, mountain backdrop.
3 – Evergreen Lake: Forested, mountainous surroundings; moderate shoreline topography.
4 – Clear Lake: Dramatic, forested mountain surroundings; steep adjacent topography with significant length of natural shoreline.
5 – Chinns Lake: Remote, alpine basin surrounded by high peaks; natural and forested shoreline around lake perimeter.
Shoreline interest (scale 1-5): Factors that affect the shoreline interest rating include coves, inlets, islands, winding channels, or unique features like bays that inundate tree trunks at high water. Slot canyons also rate highly.
Examples:
1 – Union Reservoir: Large, round water body without inlets, coves or islands.
2 – Big soda lake: Mostly round, medium sized water body with limited, semi-protected cove areas.
3 – Chatfield Reservoir (south end) Lake: Protected cove areas off main water body; inundated tree trunks at high water.
4 – Horsetooth Reservoir (northwest shore): Multiple protected Inlets, coves and islands in close proximity to each other; inundated tree trunks at high water.
5 – Dowdy Lake: Numerous islands, rock outcrops and coves; forested perimeter; entire lake area near one or more features of interest.
Use: Higher use areas may be crowded on mid-summer weekends. Try early-morning, evening, weekday or off-season.
Fees: Use or entrance fees subject to change. Some areas may only have seasonal fee collection. State, federal, or recreation district passes are valid in many locations.
Access: Most areas are paved or gravel, accessible by most vehicles.
Full elevation: Water surface elevation when water body is full. In the case of flood-control facilities (i.e. Chatfield Reservoir), this is the high water for recreational use below flood-stage.
Elevation also gives a general idea of the seasonal accessibility and water temperatures of different water bodies. Lakes in the 5000-6000 foot range may be suitable paddling destinations May through October, whereas lakes above 11,000 feet might only be accessible and ice-free from late July through early September.
Water level considerations:
Indicates how subject water bodies are to adverse aesthetic or paddling experience impacts due to water draw-down, particularly after July. Links to current conditions are provided where available. Refer to the Weather and Water level conditions page for more in-depth discussion.
Non-motorized and wake-less locations:
NM - No motorized use (entire water body)
NMZ - No motorized use in certain restricted zones
W - Motorized use restricted to wakeless speeds (entire water body)
WZ - Motorized use restricted to wakeless speeds in certain zones
The ratings stated here may be subject to change. For verification of allowed uses, check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Boatable waters map: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Pages/BoatableWaters.aspx
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