News Release Archive

Aquatic Research to be Allowed Temporarily at Pinewood Reservoir

Media Contact: Tony Curtis, (970) 962-4341, acurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: June 12, 2018

LOVELAND, Colorado -- The Bureau of Reclamation would like to notify the public that aquatic research using a trailered watercraft will be temporarily allowed at Pinewood Reservoir, west of Berthoud, Colorado.

Colorado State University, under a scientific collection permit, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has requested to perform a research survey of Mysis shrimp (Mysis diluviana) at Pinewood Reservoir, located west of Berthoud, Colorado. The shrimp were released in reservoirs and other water bodies throughout Colorado in the early 1970s as a forage base for sport fish. The goal of the Colorado State University study is to confirm presence or absence of the shrimp and is expected to be completed within one day.

Pinewood Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, and Flatiron Reservoir are part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, which delivers water to 960,000 residents and 160,000 acres of irrigated land along the northern Front Range and Northeastern Colorado. The reservoirs were built by Reclamation, and Reclamation jointly operates and maintains those sites with Northern Water. Larimer County Department of Natural Resources has managed the recreation at those reservoirs since they were opened to recreation in the 1950s.

The 2018 recreation season in Larimer County brought changes for boaters visiting Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs. The growing risk of introduction and infestation of invasive aquatic species, such as quagga and zebra mussels has made it necessary for Reclamation to increase vigilance to protect the reservoir infrastructure and power plants. This has resulted in requiring new protective measures that allow launching of boats only when a certified aquatic nuisance species inspector is on-site. These protective measures are intended to prevent launching illegally without an inspection, to protect ecosystems, recreation, and damage to water delivery systems, systems like the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.

As a result, because of limited funding, Larimer County has closed Pinewood Reservoir to motorize and sailing vessels this year. Other non-motorized vessels such as kayaks, canoes, single-chambered rafts and stand-up paddleboards are allowed if hand-launched.

Reclamation has made an exception to the current requirements and will allow the subject research activities to occur using a motorized trailered vessel on Pinewood Reservoir, because it poses no additional infestation risk to Reclamation facilities. This research is authorized under permit with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado State University survey personnel are certified in inspection and decontamination procedures by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the boat and equipment used for the survey work will be inspected and decontaminated prior to launching.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Eastern Colorado Area Office Home Page