Aurora Reservoir: The Scoop

June 12, 2018

In a few weeks we’ll enjoy a spate of 90-degree days when the water at the Aurora Reservoir will welcome you with cool waves of refreshment! For the intrepid beach-goers, the water temperatures aren’t as warm as they will be in August, but once the outside air temps get above 80, you won’t care!

With 820 acres of water, nearly everything you can think of that’s fun to do in, on, or under the water can happen at the Aurora Reservoir near Southshore. The swim beach opened on Memorial Day Weekend and is staffed by lifeguards. Or, you can rent a kayak or SUP (stand up paddle board) further down for $15 per hour, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 

Take a Dive in the Lake

The Aurora Reservoir is a popular scuba diving spot and has been open for dives since April (when the water temps were a brisk 40 degrees!). More divers start taking the plunge in the summer to see the sunken, twin-engine plane visible at only 25 feet below the surface of the lake. Because it’s so close to metro Denver, divers can get a quick fix without the time and expense of traveling to a more remote lake. 

The dive area is located at the far northeast part of the lake, so as you enter the park look for the East Lot (with the scuba icon). And if you’re interested in certification, contact Colorado Divers. Their open water courses include everything you need to get certified.

Get a SUP Workout!

Stand-up paddle boarding is becoming more popular as a recreational sport and it’s quite the workout, too. The main muscle groups you activate during a paddle are your mid-back muscles, shoulders, arms and abs – nearly an all-body workout. Not bad, right? Plus being out on the water is more than a physical experience, it can restore your balance and calm your spirit.

If you’ve never been on a paddle board, the nice folks at the Aurora Reservoir will show you the basics and get you standing in the water in no time. Or get one-on-one technique training from 5280 Paddle Sports. They teach all levels, from beginner to advanced, and it’s as much fun as it is informative.

Fish for Your Dinner

According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife there is a healthy population of perch, walleye, smallmouth bass and rainbow trout living in the reservoir. In fact, less than two weeks ago, the city of Aurora was seen restocking the Aurora Reservoir with 6,600 rainbow trout for all the Aurora anglers who visit the reservoir regularly. If you’re skilled enough and lucky enough to snag one of these beauties you can grill them on the barbie with this garlic and butter recipe from Primavera Kitchen. Check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for information about multi-day fishing licenses. 

The Weather Station

A great way to check the wind speed, direction and water temperatures at the Aurora Reservoir is to log onto the weather station. The water surface temperature has been around 62 degrees and will keep warming up to a high of about 75 degrees in August. 

The Aurora Reservoir, located at 6800 Powhaton Road, is open from 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in June and July, although the walk-in gates for pedestrians and bicyclists – and there are many who enter the park that way from Southshore – are open 30 minutes after the main gate, and close 30 minutes before. Day passes are $10 and annual passes $55 (fees are charged per vehicle) and can be purchased online. A watercraft access pass is an additional $10. 

Living Lakeside at Southshore 

The backyards are built for fun and games and entertaining in the master-planned community of Southshore! If you don’t live here yet, come on over and experience life at the lake while you explore stunning model homes from Toll Brothers, Century Communities and Richmond American Homes. These beautiful new designs — both ranch and two-story models — are priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.