If you want to put your boat in Boyd, better do it this weekend

 Guess we all knew it was coming in this drought-cursed year: Colorado Parks and Wildlife Friday announced that Boyd Lake will be closed for the season to boating starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 28. And we have more grim news about water. 

The boat ramps at Boyd are currently sitting in only two- to three-feet of water. CPW has also approved "emergency public fish salvages" due to the imminent drawing down of reservoirs at three state properties, including Douglas Reservoir west of Wellington. And there's now a voluntary total ban on fishing on the Yampa River near Steamboat Springs due to low water and high water temps. 

For years now, when the state has shut down the boat ramps at Boyd they've annoyingly banned all watercraft. This summer, though, hand-launched vessels like belly boats, kayaks and paddleboards will still be allowed, along with swimming.

With the fish salvages, the state hopes to provide anglers with increased harvest opportunity before water conditions get even worse. All bag and possession limits will be lifted. 

The other two affected reservoirs are Wahatoya State Wildlife Area in Huerfano County, where the city of Walsenburg is drawing down the reservoir to meeting municipal water needs; and Mountain Home Reservoir in Costilla County, where the reservoir is being drained to meet irrigation needs. 

Here's what the main ramp at Boyd looks like these days.