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The city of Longmont is asking for the public’s participation in a voluntary temporary closure of all recreation in the St. Vrain Creek downstream of Izaak Walton Pond to the 119th Street Trailhead.
At the same time, Sheriff Curtis Johnson of the Boulder County Sheriff's Department announced that the North St. Vrain and St. Vrain creeks are closed from Apple Valley Road to North Foothills Highway, effective Thursday at 8 a.m. Those who violate the closure are susceptible to a $100 fine.
Signs have been posted in the area asking the public to steer clear of the creek until the water flows slow. The city considers flows below 400 cubic feet per second to be safe, according to a news release from the city of Longmont.
“In a normal year, the St. Vrain typically only stays above 400 cfs for two to three weeks,” the news release states.
Measurements taken on Thursday (June 8) indicate that water flows are around 725 cfs along the meter long measurement along St. Vrain Creek in Hygiene.
May was considered to be the fourth wettest May on record with 6.5 inches of rain. The average rainfall in May is around 1.97 inches, making last May more than 300% above average for precipitation, according to the Colorado Climate Center.
The increased precipitation combined with snowpack runoff has left local ditches, rivers and creeks at or near full capacity, according to the city of Longmont.
The public safety concern is with fast flows, cold waters and underwater debris. Float tubes, paddleboards and other single-chamber vessels run the risk of becoming punctured by underwater debris.
A specific exemption exists for kayaks, however, the Boulder County Sheriff's Offices suggests that kayakers exercise caution and wear personal protection equipment including a life jacket.
The temporary closure will remain in place until the water flows reach a safe level, according to the city of Longmont. A mandatory emergency closure could be implemented if conditions worsen.
