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Map of Carter Lake - The Saddle
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IntermediateBoth

Carter Lake - The Saddle

Colorado, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–12 m (10–40 ft) depthBoth entry

Carter Lake - The Saddle at a glance

Carter Lake - The Saddle is an intermediate both dive site in Colorado, United States with depths of 3–12.2 m (10–40 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Walleye. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable & moderate · sunset 18:06

Wind forecast for this hour · 0:00 · run 13 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold water; large seasonal water-level fluctuation; boat traffic outside the wakeless area; altitude (~5,760 ft); rocky entries.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun8:00–18:00 favorable, 18:00–19:00 moderate

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Tue8:00–12:00 favorable, 12:00–13:00 moderate, 16:00–18:00 moderate, 18:00–19:00 favorable

9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

SatNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:55 · Sunrise 7:22 · Sunset 18:06 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 24 Oct, 11:15 GMT-6

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Carter Lake - The Saddle

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Crayfish
Best time: Summer and early fall for warmest water; weekdays for fewer boats.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  2. February, 89% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  3. March, 81% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 80% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  7. July, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  9. September, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  12. December, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots

July has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Carter Lake is a 3-mile-long foothills reservoir near Berthoud operated by Larimer County, and The Saddle on its east side is the approved shore-diving site. Large boulders are strewn along the bottom and visibility can reach 30 feet on good days (averaging 5-10 ft), with nearby Coffin Rock known for walleye sightings. Divers must notify Larimer County Natural Resources 24 hours before each day's diving, and are advised to stay shallower than 40 feet.

boatshore

Cold water; large seasonal water-level fluctuation; boat traffic outside the wakeless area; altitude (~5,760 ft); rocky entries.

Reviews

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