Northern Colorado state park cautions swimmers amid low water ranges: “It’s at their own risk”

Low water ranges at Boyd Lake State Park are altering the summer season expertise for guests in 2026, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers warning swimmers to make use of warning as drought circumstances proceed throughout Northern Colorado.

At Boyd Lake in Loveland, guests are dealing with a for much longer stroll to achieve the shoreline as water ranges proceed to recede. Park officers say the unusually low lake ranges are affecting swimming, boating and total recreation at one of many area’s hottest heat climate locations.

“It’s a big part of the community,” stated Lauren Turpin, park supervisor at Boyd Lake.

But this yr, the lake seems noticeably totally different. Large stretches of uncovered shoreline and muddy terrain have changed what is generally a bustling swim seashore space.

“I think the water is pretty down,” stated Meah Villareal, a park customer. “Last year was pretty high up by like a few feet, and so it’s just a lot different than how it used to be.”

Villareal and her pal, Camden Cooney, stated they nonetheless plan to spend time on the lake this summer season, regardless of the circumstances.

“Just knowing that droughts are getting worse, I guess, and just having to walk farther kind of sucks, too,” Villareal stated. “As a lazy person.”

 “And protecting our environment and making sure it’s kept safe. It’s hard to see,” Cooney stated.

Turpin stated the low water ranges are having a big influence on recreation on the park.

“It’s impacting boating, and obviously the swim beach,” Turpin stated. “The water is not up as high as we wanted it.”

According to Turpin, this yr’s circumstances are a few of the worst the park has seen in additional than a decade, pushed largely by low snowpack ranges throughout Colorado.

“It’s actually not common with the low record snowpack,” Turpin stated.

Because of the low water ranges and muddy shoreline, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will not be putting in swim seashore boundaries or buoys this yr. That additionally means they won’t be testing for E. coli.

“The low water is actually making it pretty muddy and not really enjoyable to walk down,” Turpin stated. “You can see that’s quite a far walk that’s down there.”

While swimming continues to be allowed, officers say guests ought to have warning in the event that they select to get within the water.

“People are still welcome to swim,” Turpin stated. “It’s at their own risk. We don’t do water testing, but it’s still enjoyable for the beach.”

Despite the challenges, some guests say they may proceed coming to the lake all through the summer season season.

“We like paddleboarding, so we will come out,” Cooney stated.

“Yeah, we will come still,” Villareal stated.

Park officers are additionally limiting the variety of boats allowed on the water at one time to make sure protected navigation and to keep away from points brought on by newly uncovered sandbars and shallow areas.