Activities limited on Clear Creek west of Denver due to dangerous conditions, officials say
Some activities on Clear Creek, a popular waterway west of Denver, have been curtailed due to high water levels and other dangerous conditions, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said on Monday.
The restrictions went into effect at noon and limit swimming, body surfing, rafting, tubing, and the use of belly boats. Some watercraft are exempt, including kayaks, whitewater canoes, multi-chambered professionally guided rafts, and river boards, but people are encouraged to "observe extreme caution due to the safety concerns surrounding swift moving water and floating debris," the sheriff's office said.
People cool off from the summer heat while tubing Clear Creek on Aug. 10, 2021 in Golden, Colorado.
RJ Sangosti//The Denver Post via Getty Images
The restrictions extend from the western boundary of unincorporated Jefferson County, near Clear Creek Canyon Park, through the east side of the city of Golden, including Vancouver Park, and the restrictions will remain in effect until water levels go down, officials said.
The sheriff's office cited water temperature, blasted rock, undercut rocks, potential strainers, and other safety considerations, as water height and flows continue to rise amid snow melt.
Violators might be fined up to $100, the sheriff's office said. Anyone partaking in the exempted activities are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices and helmets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Family rescued from Arkansas River
(PUEBLO, Colo.)– A rescue was caught on camera in Pueblo County on Monday, June 9, when bystanders pulled three people out from the Arkansas River after their tube flipped at the Waterworks Park in the Steel City. Multiple people have already drowned in Colorado this year, and on Monday, a family went under the rapids right in front FOX21's camera crew as reporter Carolynn Felling was about to interview the Pueblo Fire Department about water safety. The family went from enjoying a day on the river to struggling to stay afloat in a matter of seconds. 'You know, he could have lost his life. She could have lost her life, and her family,' said Rebecca Helbermin, a witness who saw the family go under. It can happen to anyone in a moment. 'If she hadn't asked for help, she probably wouldn't have made it. She was yelling for help and then those guys came and tried to help,' said Helbermin. The family almost lost their lives tubing down the Arkansas River at a popular water park in Pueblo. 'Nobody should be in the water today, especially with the flows that we have today,' said Tim Trujillo, Public Information Officer with the Pueblo Fire Department. As the family made their way down a steep drop, their tube flipped and they went under, and the only one wearing a life jacket was a little boy. 'They were rescued by a bystander here on the river, they refused care, but it all goes back to understanding what's going on. Thankfully, there was someone here who had some experience in the water and was able to get in there and get them out,' said Trujillo. The park is a popular spot for various water activities, but it can be extremely dangerous with high tides and fast currents. 'The little boy had a hard time even breathing and so did the father, my thought is if you're going down there you need to have protection,' said Helbermin. The Pueblo Fire Department said the park is designed to spin you out of the current using large boulders to help separate the fast speeds. 'Everything here is engineered to kind of kick you out of that main wave, even to the outside, where this softer, slower water will bring you back up to where you started,' said Trujillo. However, if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, the fire department said it's key not to panic. The cold shock when you fall or dive into the water can cause your muscles to cramp, making it difficult to swim. 'To us, that's the most important part is being prepared. This water's really cold, especially when you get it in your mouth and in your lungs, that shock effect locks us up a little bit,' said Trujilo. The Edge in Pueblo offers life jackets for anyone interested in participating in water activities. Colorado law and Pueblo municipal code requires life jackets for all water activities, and you should always check water levels and speeds before making the trip. For more water safety tips click the link above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Activities limited on Clear Creek west of Denver due to dangerous conditions, officials say
Some activities on Clear Creek, a popular waterway west of Denver, have been curtailed due to high water levels and other dangerous conditions, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said on Monday. The restrictions went into effect at noon and limit swimming, body surfing, rafting, tubing, and the use of belly boats. Some watercraft are exempt, including kayaks, whitewater canoes, multi-chambered professionally guided rafts, and river boards, but people are encouraged to "observe extreme caution due to the safety concerns surrounding swift moving water and floating debris," the sheriff's office said. People cool off from the summer heat while tubing Clear Creek on Aug. 10, 2021 in Golden, Colorado. RJ Sangosti//The Denver Post via Getty Images The restrictions extend from the western boundary of unincorporated Jefferson County, near Clear Creek Canyon Park, through the east side of the city of Golden, including Vancouver Park, and the restrictions will remain in effect until water levels go down, officials said. The sheriff's office cited water temperature, blasted rock, undercut rocks, potential strainers, and other safety considerations, as water height and flows continue to rise amid snow melt. Violators might be fined up to $100, the sheriff's office said. Anyone partaking in the exempted activities are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices and helmets.
News24
a day ago
- News24
Be vigilant when using a heater, Joburg EMS warns after three deaths during cold snap
Johannesburg emergency management services have warned Gauteng residents to exercise caution while using heating devices following three deaths in Soweto over the weekend. Heavy rain and severe thundershowers have been forecast across South Africa this week, with potential risks of flooding, hail, and strong winds. Snowfall has already been observed in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Lesotho. Gauteng residents have been warned to be vigilant when using heating devices during the cold snap after three deaths were reported over the weekend. Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said three people died in two separate incidents in Soweto over the weekend after they left heating devices on. In the first incident in the early hours of Sunday, two children, aged 6 and 8, were killed when their home went up in flames. In the second incident on Sunday night, one person died of smoke inhalation. 'When it's cold, people resort to using heating devices to keep warm. Because these incidents happened at night, we believe they were sleeping when the fires broke out,' Radebe-Kgiba said on Monday. No major incidents reported over night,this morning due to Extreme Winter Weather Conditions @CityofJoburgZA residents are urged to continue exercise caution when using heating devices not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home. @CoJPublicSafety — City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) June 9, 2025 Despite the overnight showers, Radebe-Kgiba said no rain-related incidents were reported by Monday morning. 'We've received alerts of cold weather and possible snowfall in Gauteng, and we will remain on high alert [during this time],' she added Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) predicted isolated showers and thundershowers - which could become severe - in the southern parts of the province on Monday. It is expected to be accompanied by heavy downpours, which could lead to flooding, hail, and damaging winds. The SAWS further predicted a 30% to 60% chance of showers and thundershowers in the south of the country - increasing to 80% in the southeast - on Tuesday, with possible snow on the escarpment. It predicted 30% rain and showers along the southeast coast on Wednesday. Snow has also been reported at Wapadsberg Pass in the Eastern Cape, Tulbagh, Paarl, and Worcester in the Western Cape, and Lesotho.
