Tubing Ban Enacted for the Saint Vrain River

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BoCoSheriff

For Immediate Release

June 9, 2017

Media Contact

Public Information Specialist, Carrie Haverfield, 303-441-1500

Tubing ban enacted for St. Vrain River

Boulder County, Colo.Sheriff Joe Pelle, in consultation with Victoria Simonsen, the Lyons Town Administrator, and Lyons Fire Chief J.J. Hoffman, has concluded that, in the interest of public safety, the Saint Vrain creeks and river will be closed to tubing and single chamber flotation devices. 

The closure will take effect immediately, and will encompass the North and South Saint Vrain Creeks and the Saint Vrain River from the western county line through the entire length of Boulder County. Sheriff's deputies will be posting notices, advising recreationists of the closure.

The South Platte River Basin high snowpack, which also has high water content, is expected to melt quickly with the current high temperatures and cause the creeks and river to continue to rise and exceed the Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) threshold needed for a tubing ban.

As of today, the Saint Vrain River was flowing at approximately 1,250 CFS; the volume at which Emergency Services can initiate a closure is 1,200 CFS.   

The closure includes watercraft such as single chamber rafts, single chamber belly boats, and inner tubes from floating in the creek. There is a specific exemption for kayaks and white water canoes, which are permitted; nonetheless, kayakers are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and wear personal protection equipment including a life jacket.  

The Sheriff is authorized to close waterways under Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 33-13-111. Violations of the closure are a class 2 petty offense and will result in a $50.00 fine.

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