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Boulder Reservoir

Rules, Safety and Policies

General Park Rules

  1. GLASS: Glass containers and bottles are prohibited.
  2. DOGS: Dogs are prohibited through the gates or anywhere along the south shoreline of the reservoir between May 15 and Labor Day. During the off-season when dogs are allowed, Boulder leash laws and pet waste removal requirements apply.
  3. CAMPING: Camping or leaving vehicles inside the gate overnight is prohibited. Gates will be closed at the posted time. Vehicles inside the gate will be locked in overnight.
  4. FIRES/GRILLS:
    • Fires are prohibited.
    • Personal charcoal and wood burning grills are prohibited.
    • Personal propane grills are allowed for grilling and cooking
      with the following fire safety rules:
      • No propane grills or tanks may be placed or utilized under any type of picnic shelter, canopy or tent.
      • Multiple grills must be positioned either end-to-end or side-to-side, no less than 10 feet apart. Spare propane tanks must be stored at least 20 ft. away from any grill.
      • There must be one 20-pound "ABC" fire extinguisher accompanying
        each propane grill. Each extinguisher must be placed no closer than 10 yards and no further than 15 yards from each grill and must be readily accessible to any user. Certified extinguishers may be rented from the Boulder Reservoir.
      • If you would like to use a charcoal grill one may be rented from reservoir staff.
  5. VEHICLES: All vehicles must remain on designated roads and parking areas at all times. Driving off-road or on any grass area is prohibited. Repair of grass, vegetation, irrigation systems or other property due to vehicle damage will be billed to the vehicle's owner.
  6. ALCOHOL: Consuming alcohol at private functions is allowed. Operating a vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. Remember, glass containers are not allowed at the reservoir. All state and local laws apply to the consumption of alcohol and will be strictly enforced.
  7. LITTER & RECYCLING: Please dispose of all trash and recyclable containers properly. Keep your park clean by depositing cigarette butts and other waste in appropriate waste containers. Leaving litter on the beach or park grounds is prohibited.
  8. NOISE & SOUND AMPLIFICATION: Music or other amplified sound is only allowed between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. (unless prior permission is obtained from reservoir staff). Excessive or disruptive music or sound may be restricted at the discretion of reservoir staff to preserve the peace and comfort of all visitors. (Boulder Revised Code, 5-6-2).
  9. GOLF: Hitting golf balls within the park is prohibited.
  10. EVENTS & GATHERINGS: Any athletic, recreational, social event or gathering of more than 50 people (including potential spectators and participants) requires a permit. Permits may be obtained by contacting the reservoir manager at least 45 days in advance.
  11. BOATING: All watercraft require a valid Boulder Reservoir boating permit for use at the reservoir. Boat permits are available at the reservoir during regular business hours. For more information on permit requirements, please see Basic Boating Rules. All boaters are responsible for knowing and obeying safe boating rules and requirements at the Boulder Reservoir.
  12. FISHING: Fishing at the reservoir is regulated by the Colorado Fish and Game Department.
  13. CHILDREN: All children 10 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at the reservoir.
  14. HORSES: Horses are prohibited at the reservoir.

Basic Boating Rules

  1. BOAT PERMITS: All watercraft require a valid Boulder Reservoir boating permit for use at the reservoir. Boat permits are available at the reservoir during regular business hours.
  2. ALL BOATERS: All boaters are required to know and obey all safe boating rules and regulations at the Boulder Reservoir. This includes motor, wind or human-powered boaters.
  3. SAFE OPERATION: Operating a watercraft in a reckless or negligent manner or in any way that endangers the safety of any person is prohibited.
  4. ALCOHOL: Alcohol is the number one contributor to boating-related accidents and deaths. Operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal.
  5. OBEY SIGNS and REQUESTS: Boaters must obey all regulatory signs and requests by lake patrol and reservoir staff.
  6. COLORADO BOATER SAFETY: Boaters are required to know and obey all current Colorado boating statutes and regulations. (See www.parks.state.co.us for more information).
  7. PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES: All boats must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices (PFDs) appropriate for each passenger. Wear your PFD! Accidents, cold water temperatures and sudden changes in wind or weather are leading causes of serious boating injures and deaths on mountain and Front Range waterways. Wearing a PFD can save your life.
  8. REPORT INCIDENTS: Boaters must report all incidents that result in property damage or personal injury to the reservoir staff. Boaters are urged to report any incident of unsafe boating to staff as well.
  9. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: You are operationally and legally responsible for your safety and the safety of your passengers. Many boaters assume they are safe because they are experienced,
    are on a relatively small body of water or because they are good swimmers. Don't take your safety for granted - be aware of unsafe weather conditions and water temperatures, wear PFDs and operate your craft safely at all times.
  10. WEATHER: Wind and weather at the Boulder Reservoir can be unpredictable and change rapidly. Check boat launch area weather flags, current weather conditions at the reservoir's south gate and NOAA weather radio (for forecast) prior to boating. Be aware of cloud build up, sudden changes in temperature, wind direction or wind speed. Return to the marina or get to shore before weather becomes unsafe. Obey all weather warnings and safety closures.
  11. CLEAN YOUR BOAT: All boats and water contact equipment must be thoroughly cleaned prior to entering the Boulder Reservoir to prevent the introduction of non-native aquatic species.
  12. LITTER & WASTE: Dumping, disposing of or discharging wastes or refuse, including human waste, in the water is prohibited.

Swimming Beach (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

The Boulder Reservoir offers one of the largest, seasonally lifeguard attended swimming beaches in Colorado. It features a marked swim area with rafts.

Beach:
Minimum water temperature to open swim area: 60˚F for the shallow water area to open and 64˚F for the entire swim area to open. Beach hours

    THURSDAYS: Beach will close at 5:45 p.m. for weekly Stroke and Stride events.

    PLEASE NOTE: The beach may be closed at any time due to weather or for other health/ safety concerns.

    Lifeguards: The swimming beach is staffed by open water certified lifeguards during seasonal, open beach hours only. Swimming is only allowed when lifeguards are present and on duty. Please feel free to approach lifeguard staff that are NOT monitoring the water if you have any needs or concerns.

    Facilities: There are restrooms, shower and changing facilities located in the main building by the beach area.

    Food: A food, snack and drink concession is also located in the main building above the swimming beach. The concession will be open during beach hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

    Weather Safety

    Weather at the Boulder Reservoir and along the Rocky Mountain Front Range is unpredictable and can change rapidly, becoming dangerous to boaters, swimmers and other visitors. Be aware of rapid cloud build-up, drop in temperature and sudden changes in wind direction or speed as these may signal the arrival of dangerous weather conditions. Current weather conditions at the reservoir's south gate

    Please be advised of the following weather safety policies:

    LIGHTNING: When lightning is seen or thunder is heard near the reservoir it will close. It is strongly recommended that people take immediate shelter in their cars. It is not safe to take shelter under a tent, tree or building, or anywhere within 100 feet of the shore when lightning is present. The reservoir will typically reopen thirty (30) minutes after the last audible thunder is heard or lightning seen.

    WEATHER WARNING FLAGS:

    Reservoir Caution/Bad Weather Flag (a red, triangular flag)warning-flag
    This flag is displayed to indicate imminent or existing weather conditions which are or may become dangerous. Swimmers are REQUIRED to get out of the water immediately. Boaters are strongly encouraged to get off or out of the water as quickly as possible.

    Reservoir Closed Flag (a red, square flag with a black square in the middle).closed-flag
    This flag is displayed when severe weather or emergency conditions exist and pose a hazard to your safety or the safety of others. During this display, all boaters and swimmers are REQUIRED to get off or out of the water immediately.

    If lightning is present when either flag is displayed, we strongly urge visitors to take shelter in their cars. When flags are removed, the reservoir is reopened.

    Alcohol at the Reservoir

    Patrons of legal age may possess and consume alcoholic beverages in the park between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Glass containers are not allowed in the park.

    You must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol and must have proper identification available to confirm age when requested. All state and local laws apply to the consumption of alcohol and will be strictly enforced. It is illegal to operate a vehicle or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

    Lost and Found

    Lost and found items will be kept at the boat house.

    Recycling

    The City of Boulder encourages all park visitors to help reduce landfill waste by recycling appropriate plastic, paper and metal containers in the recycling containers provided (remember: glass containers are not permitted at the reservoir).

    The Boulder Reservoir is striving to become a zero-waste facility! Please help us by doing your part. Please compost food waste (including paper plates, napkins and "corn starch" cutlery). We encourage guests to bring and use special "compostable" plastic ware and discourage the use of non-recyclable Styrofoam, plastic cups and other utensils.

    Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 September 2012 12:48

    		 

    Pool/Reservoir Status