Northeast Colorado ponders prospects for dwindling fishing holes

 

From Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Note: The following only covers state-managed properties, but other spots like Horsetooth and Carter are also being impacted. We'll just have to fish while we wait and see what happens next.  

DENVER — As Colorado navigates drought conditions and a historic low snowpack year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region is evaluating boating recreation options for state parks and wildlife areas. Reservoirs often act as storage spaces for water used in agriculture, irrigation or municipal purposes, with aquatic recreation as a beneficial byproduct. Snowpack runoff typically begins to fill reservoirs during early spring and summer. Reservoir levels will decrease during the boating season through evaporation and withdrawals made by water rights holders. 

In low snowpack years, such as 2025-2026, reservoir storage becomes a critical safety net to ensure continuity in agriculture or municipal operations, which may result in increased withdrawals to offset reduced runoff resulting from low snowpack. Lower water levels could affect boating access or capacity, including potential boat ramp closures. Boat ramps at the state parks and wildlife areas listed below will be closed when CPW is no longer able to launch officer patrol boats or marine rescue vessels. Access for hand-launched watercrafts, like kayaks and paddleboards, is not expected to be impacted. Shoreline fishing access will not be restricted. 

Lower water levels can uncover unmarked hazards for boaters. Sandbars, uneven lake bottom topography, fishing habitat structures, rocks, stumps and other debris in the water may become visible obstacles. Boaters should be prepared for slower speeds and be aware of surroundings while recreating.  

State Parks:

Barr Lake

• The 1,950-acre reservoir at Barr Lake State Park is fed by the South Platte River and its snowpack run-off. The water rights are owned by the Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO). Barr Lake fills during winter and is drawn down for irrigation purposes over the summer. The reservoir started the 2026 boating season at full capacity. With the current water level, any potential boat ramp closures would likely not be until July or August. Restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.   

Boyd Lake

• The Big Thompson River is the source of Boyd Lake reservoir. While CPW manages water recreation, the Greeley & Loveland Irrigation Company owns the water and controls its levels. The water is used as drinking water for Greeley and agricultural needs. Boyd Lake currently sits at about one-third capacity with more water usually filling the reservoir in mid to late May. It’s unclear if the reservoir will be refilled in 2026. Boaters should expect very low water levels throughout the season. The Heron Cove boat ramp is closed due to the low water levels. All vessels must be launched from the main boat ramp. If restrictions need to be enacted, CPW will likely limit the number of boats allowed to be launched for safety reasons, rather than closing the reservoir to all boating. Restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.   

Chatfield

• Fed by the South Platte River and Plum Creek, the reservoir at Chatfield State Park is heavily reliant on the snowpack which supplies those water sources. The reservoir stores water for a variety of water rights holders, including CPW, primarily for flood prevention, agricultural and municipal purposes. In 2016, the Chatfield Reservoir Mitigation Company began work to add water storage to Chatfield which raised water levels to its current height. Due to its size and topography, the reservoir would be able to sustain large draw downs in water levels and still allow boating. The 2026 boating season at Chatfield started at average reservoir levels, with few impacts to recreation expected. Restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.   

Cherry Creek

• Cherry Creek Reservoir is filled by Cherry Creek, with many entities, including CPW, owning water rights to store water in the reservoir. Due to dry conditions in 2024-2025, Cherry Creek Reservoir did not have an opportunity to refill to reach average water levels. During years when water demand exceeds supply, the reservoir cannot store additional water. In accordance with Colorado’s water right priority system, incoming flows must be distributed to entities which hold higher downstream water rights priorities. The reservoir started the 2026 boating season at the same water height as it ended the 2025 boating season last fall. In an average year, the reservoir loses approximately three vertical feet of water due to evaporation. The expected evaporation, coupled with the inability to refill the reservoir due to low snowpack, may result in boating restrictions and boat ramp closures for Cherry Creek State Park. CPW acquired additional water this spring in an effort to extend the 2026 boating season at Cherry Creek. The timing of potential closures is dependent on precipitation throughout the rest of spring and summer. Restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.

Eleven Mile

• At 3,405 acres, Eleven Mile State Park reservoir is a large body of water fed by the South Platte River. The reservoir is one of the main drought supply reservoirs for Denver Water. Water levels have not fluctuated more than a foot or two in decades. With its topography, Eleven Mile Reservoir can be drawn down significantly without affecting recreation, however large fluctuations are not expected for 2026. Restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.   

Golden Gate Canyon

• Golden Gate Canyon State Park does not allow any boating or hand-launched vessels in the park. Low snowpack could lead to diminished water levels in streams and ponds which may impact fishing opportunities. Restrictions would be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.  

Jackson Lake

• The Jackson Lake Reservoir and Irrigation Company owns the water rights at Jackson Lake State Park. The reservoir started this year’s boating season at full capacity, supplied by the South Platte River. The water is mainly used for irrigation. The reservoir is naturally shallow and usually refills in the fall. CPW expects to have a low reservoir level year, with water drawn out as soon as June. Restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.   

North Sterling

• North Sterling State Park started the 2026 boating season at full capacity. The reservoir is fed by the South Platte River. The North Sterling Irrigation District owns the water rights, and the water will be drawn throughout the summer for agricultural purposes. Since it is further downstream, boating impacts are considered less likely for North Sterling until later in the summer. Restrictions would be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.   

Spinney Mountain

• Due to historic low snowpack levels in the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers, the boat ramp at Spinney Mountain State Park has not opened. Water levels continue to be extremely low, and it is unlikely the boat ramp will open for the 2026 season. Aurora Water is the water rights holder for the reservoir. Boat ramp openings or restrictions will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.  

Staunton

• The ponds and reservoirs at Staunton State Park are filled by creeks and tributaries that eventually feed the South Platte River. The water levels are heavily reliant on snowpack. The park does not allow boating either through a boat ramp or hand-launched vessels. Lower Davis Pond was drawn down for a repair project. Both Davis Ponds should expect lower water levels, and fishing could be impacted. Restrictions or refilling will be announced on the park’s website and social media channels. 

St. Vrain

• The ponds at St. Vrain State Park are not expected to be greatly impacted by lower levels of the St. Vrain River. Some ponds are dependent on groundwater levels. CPW owns the water rights, but water is not distributed from the ponds for other uses. Any restrictions would be announced on the park’s website and social media channels.  

Other Properties:

Antero Reservoir

• Denver Water will begin drawing down Antero Reservoir on May 1. CPW enacted a public fish salvage on April 21 to minimize fish losses and provide opportunity for anglers. Motorized boating will not be allowed at Antero Reservoir for 2026.  

Jumbo Reservoir

• No boating restrictions are expected for Jumbo (Julesburg) Reservoir.  

Tarryall Reservoir

• No boating restrictions are expected for Tarryall Reservoir.  

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