Boulder County Sheriff's Office closes Boulder Creek to tubers

Boulder Creek is closed to tubes and single-chamber flotation devices such as inflatable rafts or inflatable paddleboards from below Boulder Falls, Colorado, to 55th Street in Boulder, the County Sheriff's Office said. Boulder County in a press release.

The closure will remain in place until water flow drops to a level deemed safer for single-chamber flotation devices, according to the release.

Sheriff's deputies will post notices and notify residents and visitors of the closure.

“Historically, we close for tubing at about 700 (cubic feet per second),” said Vinnie Montez, public information officer for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. “When there's no runoff, it's in the hundreds, and it could be faster or slower than that.”

Boulder Creek was flowing at about 701 cubic feet per second Wednesday and is expected to increase as temperatures rise, according to the release.

“We urge community members to always be safe when entertaining around water, and especially now when waters are high and moving quickly,” said Ali Rhodes, director of parks and recreation for Boulder, in the press release. “Cold, fast-moving water is dangerous and conditions can change quickly. »

Spring runoff and the expected normal release of water from Barker Reservoir are causing increased water flow in the creek, increasing risks to people recreating and first responders performing water rescues. Increased risks present during higher water flows include cold water temperatures, floating debris and obstructions in the water. what can hook a person.

Whitewater kayaks and canoes are still allowed in the creek, according to the release. However, kayakers are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and wear personal protective equipment, including a life jacket, dry or wet suit, and helmet.

The sheriff is authorized to close waterways by state law. Violations of the closure are a civil infraction and can result in a $100 fine, according to the release.

Spring runoff and high water create dangerous situations every year, and emergency personnel warn people to be careful around any fast-moving water. A woman was pulled from Boulder Creek after apparently crashing her bike in Boulder Canyon on May 31. Separately, searchers found a 68-year-old woman in the creek on June 4 after her family reported her missing.