Gunnison, Colo. - The Elk Creek boat ramp on Blue Mesa Reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area opens Friday, May 26, 2023, at 5:30 a.m. It will remain open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day for the remainder of the 2023 season. The Elk Creek marina is scheduled to open on May 30.
Motorized and trailered watercraft launched onto Blue Mesa Reservoir must be inspected for aquatic invasive species prior to launching. Inspection stations are available at the Lola, Elk Creek, and Lake Fork boat ramps from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Boaters are encouraged to get an exit inspection to verify watercraft are clean, drained, and dried. Boat inspections help ensure that Blue Mesa will be available for future generations to enjoy.
Earlier this month, the park completed a project to reconfigure marina infrastructure, so it is more mobile and able to better adapt to changing water levels driven by prolonged drought. The project now allows park staff to move the infrastructure without having to rely on contracted services and operationalize the marina regardless of water levels.
Blue Mesa Reservoir is currently at 7,479 feet (2273 m) elevation. This is about 40 feet (12 m) below full pool at 7,519 feet (2291 m). By early July, Blue Mesa is expected to rise to within 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 m) of full pool. For more information about Blue Mesa see the Bureau of Reclamation website at www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/asp.html.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve natural resources, local history, and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service