Jackson Lake State Park Closed for Boating Due to Low Water

ORCHARD, Colo. – Jackson Lake State Park Manager Brad Jackson said Friday that the lake is now closed to boating because the water level in the lake has dropped below the bottom of the boat ramp. The lake will begin to fill again on Nov. 1 and will be full in the spring.  The lake will open to boating in the spring as soon as the ice has thawed and hazards are removed.

                    The park will remain open all year for camping, wildlife viewing, riding on the OHV track and many other activities.  The annual chili and Dutch oven cook-off will still take place on Sept. 8. To register for the cook-off, please contact Darby Shanks at 970-645-2551.  Hunting ducks from boats this fall will also not be possible because of the inability to launch a boat on the water.

                     Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://www.parks.state.co.us.  To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us

Jackson Lake State Park Opens to Boating March 17

***Colorado State Parks Press Release***


ORCHARD, Colo. – Jackson Lake State Park will open to boating on Saturday, March 17, at 8 a.m. The reservoir is free of ice and the lake is full. To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, all trailered vessels and all vessels with gas powered motors must be inspected prior to launch and must launch and load at the boat ramps.

Boaters are asked to take the necessary precautions before launching their vessel. Boats should be checked before leaving home for all safety equipment, that the motor is running properly, the boat has fuel and that there is no standing water inside the boat. This will allow for a faster inspection and a safer and more relaxing day on the water.

The inspection hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Jackson Lake State Park Visitor Center and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the inspection station. Beginning May 1, the hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. All vessels need to be inspected or follow the pre-inspection process before launching.

The fishing has been good for trout from the dam, inlet and the west shore. Anglers can expect that there will not be a wiper run in the inlet canal this year. The lake was filled in February and will not be taking in any more water. The fishing should continue to improve as the water temperature rises. For more information, please call the park office at (970) 645-2551.

Jackson Lake is participating in the effort to curb the spread of aquatic nuisance species, including zebra and quagga mussels, in the state’s reservoirs and waterways. All vessels entering and leaving Jackson Lake will be inspected for ANS. If ANS are detected on any of the watercraft, decontamination is required. To speed up the inspection process, boaters are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their vessel, including removing the plug to drain the water, prior to entering the park and as soon as the watercraft has left the water. For more information about the state’s aquatic nuisance species program, visit www.parks.state.co.us/Boating.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.