About Rocky Mountain Recreation & Public Fishing Area
This Arkansas River Valley site near Salida offers quarry-like scuba in designated zones, depths 30-60 feet, with 20-30ft visibility. Managed for fishing and diving, features submerged platforms; cold 48-55°F waters year-round due to snowmelt.
Safety Considerations
Strict boating rules: all craft carry Type III PFDs, sound devices per Colorado Parks regs. Altitude 7,000 feet amps DCS risk; DAN recommends 24-hour sea-level wait post-dive. Currents from inflows silt bottoms, mandating low-volume masks. Leave No Trace: pack out trash, no anchoring on reefs. REI cold dive clinics stress drysuit proficiency. Buddy system non-negotiable in wind-driven surface chop.
Essential Gear
Heavy-duty drysuit (Scubapro Everdry), 5mm hood/gloves/boots. Apeks regulators with octo, Shearwater Perdix 2 computer. Lift bag 60lb capacity, strobe light. Boat-required gear: throwable PFD, fire extinguisher.