South Plattte (Canyon? ) Reservoir

[Hugh Kingery]

Cobirders have sent multiple reports about South Platte (Canyon?) Reservoir but I haven't noticed any posts that tell where it is. CFOs County Birding site does not mention it.

Perhaps someone could post the location and how to get there?

Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO

[david.gi...@gmail.com]

South Platte Reservoir is north of Chatfield Reservoir.  Essentially it is tucked into the space between So. Platte Canyon Rd. and I-470 where those two almost intersect (east of So Platte Canyon Rd, north of I-470).  It is accessed off of So. Platte Canyon Rd., on So. Depew Street, which travels south down the west side of the reservoir (almost paralleling So. Platte Canyon Rd.) and then curves to the east along the south side of the reservoir (as Viable Road).  Where the road curves and changes names, there is a parking lot on the south side, and an obvious entry point on the north side.  The gate along the dam at that entry point is usually closed, but it is open to the public by foot.  There aren't any really good views available from the road itself, so parking and walking are the best way to view the reservoir.  The reservoir is actually split by the boundary between Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties -- most of the open water is likely in Arapahoe County.

David Gillilan
Littleton

[Joe Roller]

Directions and other information about South Platte Reservoir.

Go west on C-470 across the South Platte River. Other routes are less viable.

Go north at the first exit west of that river, which is South Platte Canyon Road.

Proceed north for about 1/3 mile and turn right onto South Depew 

Street, which is the first named street you come to. South Depew Street

bends to the south. Follow it and note that its name changes to "Viable Road,"

which can be lively with birdlife. Avoid any unviable roads.

You are now circumnavigating South Platte Reservoir counter-clockwise, below the dam.

Park either in the lot on the SW side of this water body and walk

up a short trail to the path around the dam. You are still in Jefferson County,

but when you walk along the dam to the east you quickly enter Arapahoe County,

in which lies about 85% of the Reservoir. From the SW side there is a nice stroll to get

to where most of the birds congregate on the SE side of place.

OR continue east on Viable Road, to the SE side of the reservoir, park and walk up a short trail to

the darned path. Recently most of the open water has been on the SE side,

but ice seems to be retreating during this outbreak of balmy weather.

If you can possibly bring a scope, bring it, as many of the birds are seen at

a distance. As you peek over the SE side of the dam, be cautious, as some waterfowl

can be very close to the dam, and may swim or fly away. This is not as much of an 

issue if you arrive at 8 or after, as joggers and birders have preceded you and had 

the same effect on the birds. If Greater Scaup are not seen in the Reservoir, continue east on Viable Road

til it ends and look for ducks on the small ponds there.

Joe Roller

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[Ira Sanders]

Birders

you can also get to South Platte reservoir off of Wadsworth by going east on Chatfield Avenue.  Chatfield is the first light north of C 470 on Wadsworth.

when you come to the 4 way stop where the exit off of C 470 is as described by Joe Roller, you can pick up his directions from there.

Ira Sanders

Golden

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