Why can't I kayak/swim where ever I want?

[Irving]

I've been trying to figure out why only certain bodies of water allow non-powered boats. At first I thought that it had to do with possible contamination from other water sources, but then I realized that every time I go some where with my kayak, I ask if I need an inspection and they tell me that I don't. I've seen some fishing ponds where you can only have a belly boat. What is the difference? Besides not having a wildlife officer presence, what is the reason I can't put my kayak into any body of water that I can carry it into?

Along the same lines, what is the reason that you can't swim anywhere? Some places have a small swim beach, but it's so small it sucks. I understand the risk of getting run over by a power boat, but some bodies of water only allow non-powered watercraft. In those bodies of water, I can't understand why I can't just swim where ever I want. Does anyone know? I assume it's mostly arbitrary government regulation, but would love to know if there are other reasons.

Thanks.

[ray1970]

I think some of the regulations have something to do with most of the reservoirs in the state being used for public water for various cities and counties. At least as far as the powered motors go. I guess they don’t want certain contaminants going in the water before it hits the treatment facilities.

[Holger Danske]

Were you the guy in the blue kayak on Prospect lake today when we were doing laps with the ski boat? :-). That guy left when there 4 boats kicking up wakes.

[Duman]

Most of the 'no swimming' waters are pretty disgusting.

[sniper7]

I attribute it to the fact that Colorado does a horrible job managing its parks, and its water. And mostly because it has been managed by the liberal state parks office which did such a shitty job they talked dickinpooper to combine it with my beloved division of wildlife that actually did stay in budget and do an overall good job. Now we are stuck with a combined park and wildlife that basically just took more of my hunting dollars to toss around and give to the lame ass park system. And because they are still in a budget shortage they want to up hunting license fees and sell more to out of state residents to make up for the parks shortcomings.....instead of cutting the fat.

[Irving]

That wasn't me. I swam at Chatfield yesterday without realizing that it wasn't allowed.

One of the places that I know is used for City water says you can have belly boats. I can't think of the difference between a belly busy and a kayak. Plus that place allows fishing and the shores are pretty littered up with junk from the fisherman.

I think at Barr Lake they told me that I didn't want to swim in that water for risk of ecoli if I drank enough water, but they couldn't stop me from falling in.

[ChickNorris]

http://www.fryingpananglers.com/archive-essays/articles/Legal-comments-on-Floating-Colorado-rivers/The-legalities-of-Floating-on-Colorado-waters.htm

[Mtneer]

Invasive snails are major problem. Once they get into a lake or river, they can seriously screw up the entire ecosystem.

[Irving]

Invasive snails are major problem. Once they get into a lake or river, they can seriously screw up the entire ecosystem.

I assumed that could be a reason, but if it were, why wouldn't they check paddle craft like they do boats?

[Irving]

http://www.fryingpananglers.com/archive-essays/articles/Legal-comments-on-Floating-Colorado-rivers/The-legalities-of-Floating-on-Colorado-waters.htm

This is interesting, but doesn't help with my concerns as much because I've never been on a river. I should have been more specific of bodies of water that the public has access to. The article is on topic though.

[ChickNorris]

http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Boat.aspx

[Gman]

Zebra mussels are a huge problem. As I was driving to and back from British Columbia, each state had water vessel inspections. Signage also included kayaks.

[ben4372]

I was at the lake this weekend and noted a sign that said boats on trailer or with engines need inspection. Kayaks, paddle boards and inflatables not required. I find the inspection so similar to TSA that they really raise my blood pressure.

And to ad to the cruddy budget and financials of the parks. They seem a bit overstaffed this year. Lots of New trucks and boats too. Drives me crazy how expensive the fees are, and if you want to bring a dog you need to pay for that too.

I know this doesn't help with the original question, but it does show a pattern. I think it's so it's easier to manage us. Not a plan from the front line rangers, who are actually pretty cool. From much higher up. Likely people not involved in the day to day operations.

[Irving]

I know this doesn't help with the original question, but it does show a pattern. I think it's so it's easier to manage us. Not a plan from the front line rangers, who are actually pretty cool. From much higher up. Likely people not involved in the day to day operations.

This is my impression as well. After I came back they were telling me that before we got there, our friends had the park police or whatever come over and tell everyone that the kids either had to be in a boat, or out of the water. It was a bunch of kids under 10, all with life jackets, all probably less than 10' from the shore. Apparently the kids said, "Oh okay," but didn't really make an effort to get out of the water and the rangers left. So I doubt they care either, just doing their job kind of thing.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Most of the 'no swimming' waters are pretty disgusting.

This.
Unsafe for a variety of reasons, but the chief of which is infectious.

[Gman]

This.
Unsafe for a variety of reasons, but the chief of which is infectious.
Happens at Cherry Creek reservoir fairly regularly. E. Coli is not an uncommon reason.

[BladesNBarrels]

Chatfield has regular swim beach closures due to E. coli. during the regular seasons.
Whenever there are rain storms that sweep down the Platte, sewage gets in the lake from the old out houses and things left after the fires.
This year swimming is not allowed, because the lake is being expanded.
All boats will be off the lake after Aug. 31 and the marina will be moved.
A new swim beach and open swimming will be back next season.

[Irving]

Thanks for the new info. My wife was wondering what all the construction was.

Well, I guess I'm glad that I got my little swim in and haven't yet gotten sick. I told my friends, "I'm going to swim out to that little island." They thought I was joking.

[rondog]

Goose shit everywhere, I ain't swimming in anything but public pools.

[Martinjmpr]

I think you should do what you want!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLPM-P7mNQw

[Irving]

At least with the risks of e. Coli and getting my head cracked open by a boat hull, I can see the direct risks to my well being and take appropriate risk acceptance from there. Still haven't really gotten any closer to the answer about paddle craft though. I took the kayaks to Big Mac in NE and no inspection there or on the way back.

[TheSparkens]

Typically, a body of water will have a environmental impact study that takes into consideration what type of waters feeds the reservoir what the affect of noise, oil, fuel and other activity has on the overall health of the body of water. Some study's are very old and some are revisited all the time for many of the reasons mentioned already. The study's are sometimes federal and sometimes managed by the state. Some lakes are willed or given to the state with provisions that they remain as outlined by the trust that has given the waters. So like the diversity of the waters themselves so goes the rules that we must abide by. Remember Colorado although a watershed state is not the owner of most of its waters and this goes back to way before are great grandparents were alive and so does the rules that govern the water. There are some waters in Colorado that you are not supposed even step a foot into and if you are found doing so you will get a hefty fine.

[Irving]

Like Hanging Lake.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Goose shit everywhere, I ain't swimming in anything but public pools.

This is what I was thinking with Sloan’s lake when I used to run there. Disgusting.

[TheSparkens]

Irving, as I was writing this that lake was what I was thinking of. I grew up in Glenwood in the late 70's and man how that area has changed. We used to sneak under the falls and jump in.