If you were hoping to get out on the water and go tubing along Boulder Creek, we've got some bad news for you. According to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder Creek will be closed to tubing and other watercraft until further notice due to safety concerns.
Water levels are rising and causing areas of concern, as this can cause cold water temperatures, floating debris, and obstructions in the water.
The closure went into effect on Wednesday, June 2, at 5 p.m. And at the time of this writing, Boulder Creek is still closed.
However, you can stay up-to-date on the Boulder County Sheriff's Office's social media for the latest. When the water levels even out, hopefully in the coming days, anyone wishing to go tubing can check this website for the latest stream gage info, too.
"Our policy is to enact tubing restrictions for watercraft such as single-chamber rafts, single-chamber belly boats and inner tubes on Boulder Creek when we have a sustained cubic-feet-per-second level of 700 or above," said Carrie Haverfield, spokeswoman for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. "We look for sustained numbers, as typically you see fluctuations after rainstorms or in the overnight hours during spring runoff as the CFS numbers increase and decrease. We are communicating with the city of Boulder, constantly monitoring the water levels and will enact restrictions if we meet our preestablished threshold."
Once things do open back up, officials at the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office recommend taking the following safety measures when tubing:
- Recreate with other people and/or let other people know where you are going and when you are expected back.
- Use proper personal safety equipment during recreational activities in and around the water. Safety equipment can include:
- A personal flotation device or life jacket. Make sure it is the correct size (snug/fits like a glove, yet allows freedom of movement) and with a sufficient rating for the type of activity.
- A drysuit or wetsuit. When water temperatures are low, hypothermia can quickly set in.
- A helmet, when taking part in water sports activities in shallow water or areas where underwater conditions are unknown.
