Authorities Warn About Getting Into Dangerous Clear Creek
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - Water is running dangerously high in Clear Creek. It's so high that on Saturday authorities in Wheat Ridge had to close off the trail at 44th Avenue, but that didn't stop some people from getting into the water.
The retaining wall under the 44th Avenue bridge is about five feet high, but the water is almost cresting above it. The creek averages 4 to 6 feet in some places.
CBS4's Howard Nathan witnessed an inner tube floating in Clear Creek Saturday afternoon. Moments earlier a young man was riding in it with his buddies. It's exactly what the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office warned people not to do.
"As someone who kayaked by myself I think they're a bit crazy, but without life jackets and as high as the water is, some of the rapids I see further on down the creek," said Wheat Ridge resident Leonard Summers.
The creek is clearly flowing swiftly, creating whitewater in some places.
"It's running significantly faster and it reached the bank in a couple of a spots upstream," Summer said.
In places where it jumped the banks the creek left behind a muddy mess. Summers moved down to Wheat Ridge from the high country two years ago.
"It's significantly higher than last year. It breached a bank but it was a very short time. This water's been running like this now for several weeks," Summers said.
When the runoff season ends, authorities in Wheat Ridge say they will close portions of the trail for cleanup. The trail along the creek is 6 1/2 miles long.
