High water levels prompt Clear Creek restrictions

High water levels have prompted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Golden Police Department to limit waterway activities on Clear Creek.

The order, effective on Wednesday, prohibits the use of all single-chambered air-inflated devices, such as belly boats, inner tubes, and single-chambered rafts, as well as body surfing and swimming.

Kayaks, whitewater canoes and multi-chambered professionally guided rafts, and river boards are exempt. However, Creek officials encourage extreme caution due to the swift-moving water and floating debris, according to a news release. 

All authorized users and Creek occupants are required to wear Type I, Type III, or Type V Coast Guard-approved flotation vests and helmets that are specifically designed for water use.

Officials warned that “water height and flows are expected to rise as the heavy snowpack continues to melt in the coming days.” 

These temporary water restrictions extend from the western boundary of unincorporated Jefferson County through the eastern limits of the City of Golden, including Vanover Park, and will remain in place until water levels decrease. 

Restrictions will be strictly enforced and violators are subject to fines of up to $100. Copy article link

It’s fortunate dozens of emergency workers have been visiting Golden’s section of Clear Creek for swiftwater rescue training in recent weeks, because there have already been a few close calls and people who needed additional help getting out of the fast-moving water, according to Lt. Joe Bechina of the Golden Fire Department.

“The busy season is here,” Bechina said.

On June 5, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Golden implemented red flag restrictions, closing Clear Creek to swimming and tubing.

Under red flag restrictions, only kayaks, whitewater canoes, multi-chambered professionally guided raft and riverboards may operate in the creek. Users should wear life jackets and helmets at all times, and proceed with extreme caution.

These restrictions extend from the western edge of Jefferson County through Golden city limits, including Vanover Park, according to a June 5 Sheriff’s Office press release.

Bechina said water levels will continue to rise in the coming days, and will likely peak in mid-June. Year-round, the creek ranges from 300-1,600 cubic feet per second, with June seeing the highest volumes.

At peak flows, water in Clear Creek can reach about 15 mph. While that doesn’t seem fast compared to a car, rescuers have stressed that it’s much faster than people can swim. Plus, water temperatures are so low, people without proper gear can become hypothermic very quickly.

For those planning to recreate in Clear Creek this summer, Bechina stressed that the No. 1 way to stay safe is to wear a life jacket and helmet.

“When people visit the creek without a life jacket, that’s when they get themselves into trouble,” Bechina said, adding that the bulk of GFD’s water rescue calls involve people who aren’t wearing life jackets.

“The river is powerful,” he continued. “It’ll win every time.”

Bechina described how, even later in the summer, people shouldn’t be careless as lower water levels leave rocks, tree branches and other debris exposed.

He also stressed that people shouldn’t litter along the creek, particularly by discarding their innertubes or floaties. He said, if rescuers see an unattended tube, it can be hard to tell whether the user has simply discarded it or is in danger.

Bechina and other swiftwater rescuers recommended Clear Creek users check the flag warning system beforehand and obey any restrictions that are in place that day.

“Don’t mix alcohol and water,” said Justin Sparks, a battalion chief from the Wayne Township Fire Department.

Firefighter Michael Behrman from Fort Carson’s fire department encouraged people to ask for help if they feel a situation getting away from them, and to stay out of fast-moving water — whether that be Clear Creek or flashfloods.

“Even the best swimmers have drowned before,” he said.

A fast-moving training ground

Sparks, Behrman and 15 other emergency responders were in Golden June 4 for a Swiftwater Rescue II course, hosted by Fort Collins-based Dive Rescue International.

In addition to Dive Rescue International, Golden Fire and other local agencies have been using Clear Creek for their internal swiftwater rescue courses. Between the DRI courses and the local agencies, dozens if not hundreds of rescue workers have been training along the corridor since mid-May, Bechina estimated.

On June 4, while some of the DRI Swiftwater Rescue II trainees were from Colorado, others were from the Kansas City area, Michigan and other states. Many were training for flashfloods and other high-water situations that can’t be easily replicated in their jurisdictions.

“For us, the fast water is the emergency,” Wayne Township firefighter Katie Heishman said.

Bechina explained how DRI hosts three sets of classes along Clear Creek — Swiftwater Rescue I and II, and an instructor course. Depending on the class, trainees learn everything from self-rescuing and contact rescues to how to conduct rescues from boats and/or with ropes.

Behrman said he hadn’t trained for swiftwater rescues before, but signed up with DRI because he wanted to expand his skillset and be able to respond to Fort Carson’s flashfloods.

“I wanted to be better prepared for those calls,” he said.

Heishman had completed a version of swiftwater rescue training in Indiana, but she said it was very different from the DRI course along Clear Creek.

She and Sparks appreciated the opportunity to “to train in the best water in the world.” They thanked the community “for being so open and welcoming,” saying they’ve enjoyed their time training in Clear Creek, visiting Golden, and networking with other rescuers.

Heishman said Clear Creek had been “a blast to train in,” but added that she now has a new appreciation for wearing life jackets in fast-moving water.

She and Sparks hoped creek users would stay safe this summer by keeping an eye on the water conditions, the flag warning system, and wearing life jackets and helmets.