To ensure public safety, the Bureau of Land Management, Yuma Field Office, has issued an emergency temporary closure of the Fortuna Pond recreational area located north of Yuma. The closure is the result of flooding of the area due to extreme spring run-off and subsequent water release from several upstream dams on the Gila River. The closure went into effect May 11, 2023 and it will be evaluated after 30-days. Staff will patrol the area to evaluate the safety of the area before lifting the closure.
In addition to the Fortuna Pond closure the BLM Yuma Field Office is recommending use of extreme caution or avoidance of the areas around the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers as well as any downstream sites from that location.
For additional information regarding this notice or public lands access please call the BLM Yuma Field Office at (928) 317-3200.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE NOTICEBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTCOLORADO RIVER DISTRICTYUMA FIELD OFFICE
Under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and pursuant to 43 CFR § 8364.1. This closure applies to lands administered by the Yuma Field Office. Notice is hereby given that the Colorado River District (BLM) will immediately close selected public lands to public access in Yuma County, Arizona.
This closure has been issued for the affected area due to extreme spring run-off and subsequent water release from several up-stream dams on the Gila River.
Effective at 1200 P.M. 05/11/2023 an Emergency Closure Notice has been issued for the areasurrounding Fortuna Pond, Yuma County Arizona. This emergency closure is placed in effectbuy the Bureau of Land Management Yuma Field Office, Colorado River District in effort toavert property damage or loss, personal injury and or loss of life, and shall remain in effect for aperiod of 30 days.
Upon completion of this initial 30-day period water flow on the Gila River as well as on theground conditions at Fortuna Pond will be evaluated.(1) Persons exempt from the closure and that are allowed in the closed area without writtenpermission include the following:a) Emergency vehicles, equipment, and personnel.b) Government employees acting in the performance of their duties.(2) This closure follows provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976(43 U.S.C. 1701) and 43 CFR § 8364.1. Any person who fails to comply with a closure orrestriction order issued under this subpart may be subject to the penalties provided under43 CFR § 8360.0-7 which are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/orimprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
In addition to the Fortuna Pond Closure the BLM Yuma Field Office is recommending use ofextreme caution or avoidance of the area around the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Riversas well as any downstream sites from that location.For additional information regarding this notice or public lands access please call the BLMYuma Field Office at (928) 317-3200.
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