Union Reservoir getting too low to launch larger boats

 

Fishing club friend and Front Range guide Brad Peterson passes this along: 

BREAKING: Union Reservoir Boat Launch Advisory

Water levels at Union Reservoir have dropped to the point where I am not recommending any boats over 18 feet attempt to launch, and dual axle trailer rigs should stay home. The ramp is extremely shallow right now — you’re looking at getting your vehicle nearly to the point of water in the cab just to get a boat in the water. On top of that, there are larger gravel and rocks near the loading area, and I’m already hearing reports of anglers hitting their prop while loading. That’s an expensive and frustrating end to a fishing trip.

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We’ve talked about the reality that we’re going to lose lakes to boating as the summer wears on — and I’m afraid Union is the first domino to fall. I was hoping we’d at least make it to Father’s Day before we started seeing this, but we didn’t get that lucky.

If you’re heading out to Union in a smaller boat, please use caution for the remainder of the season. Lake levels can change fast, and conditions that are marginal today can become impossible tomorrow. Another sobering reality worth mentioning: with some of these lakes dropping this low this early, there’s a real chance several of them may not be usable at the start of next boating season either — even if we get a strong snowpack this winter.

Boyd Lake is on my radar as potentially the next to drop to an unlaunchable level. I’ll keep you updated as conditions change.

Stay informed, be smart out there, and check conditions before you haul your rig to the ramp.

— Brad