Tubing Ban Enacted For Boulder Creek
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Recent warm weather and the melting of snowpack is making Boulder Creek too dangerous for tubers. That's according to the Boulder County Sheriff.
Sheriff Joe Pelle has closed Boulder Creek to tubing and single-chamber flotation devices. The closure takes effect immediately and includes Boulder Creek from Barker Dam east of Nederland to the Weld County line, north of Erie.
The closure includes the section of Boulder Creek that flows through the City of Boulder. Sheriff's deputies and police in Boulder will be posting notices advising recreationists of the closure.
The closure includes watercraft such as single-chamber rafts, single-chamber belly boats and inner tubes from floating in the creek. There is a specific exemption for kayaks and white water canoes, which are permitted. Kayakers are strongly encouraged to observe caution.
Violations to the closure will result in a $50 fine.
Recent warm weather and snowpack melting are adding to the amount of water flowing in the creek. Boulder Creek was flowing at 723 and 800 cubic feet per second and normally flows at a rate between 100 and 300 CFS. Typically the ban of single-chamber floatation devices is initiated at 700 CFS.
The Sheriff and the Town of Lyons anticipate the closure of the St. Vrain River this weekend, as it is currently running at approximately 1043 CFS; the volume at which Emergency Services would initiate a closure is 1200 CFS. The Sheriff does not anticipate closing South Boulder Creek, as it is currently running at approximately 315 CFS through Eldorado Springs.
