MEEKER | People seeking relief from the heat with a day at the lake may be surprised to find low water at two popular recreation sites. Lake Avery and Rio Blanco Lake are both undergoing repair projects conducted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
Lake Avery Update
Lake Avery, 14.5 miles southeast of Meeker, is being drained to facilitate a dam rehabilitation project, including outlet repairs that will address damage to the outlet pipe and a leaky outlet gate, Area Wildlife Manager Johnathan Lambert said via email. CPW has authorized a “fish salvage” during this time, allowing anglers to keep all the fish they catch (legally) through Nov. 24, 2024.
The release of water began last week, with the goal to have as much of the reservoir drained as possible before project construction starts in Spring 2025. Public access to the reservoir will close beginning Nov. 25, 2024 until repairs on the dam are complete. “At this time, repairs are projected to take place and last through summer/fall of 2025, with hopes to refill the reservoir in 2026,” Lambert said.
Toxic Algae Signs
Precautionary
Signs posted at Lake Avery warning users about the presence of toxic algae will remain as a precautionary measure for the public although there have been no observations of algae blooms in 2024 to date. Toxic algae was found in the reservoir in the summer of 2023 and CPW is continuing to periodically monitor the reservoir between May and September for the next several years according to protocol.
Rio Blanco Lake
In 2021, CPW began work to remove fish that are not compatible with native fish conservation efforts in the White River drainage. During the process of draining the lake structural issues were identified in the outlet structure, requiring additional repair work.
According to Lambert’s email, “A leak in the newly constructed outlet structure was detected by CPW staff in mid-April, which caused the reservoir to drain at a constant daily rate of approximately 2 cfs (cubic feet per second) until repairs could be made, taking approximately eight weeks to resolve the issue. During this time, a temporary bladder plug was placed into the outlet pipe to help slow the outflow of water until new parts arrived and a permanent fix could be made, while also allowing inflow of water through the inlet of the reservoir to help offset the rate of outflow. It is unknown exactly as to when the outlet structure broke and began leaking. As of the second week of June, the outlet structure had been repaired and the reservoir is currently holding water. Water will continue to divert into the reservoir as much as possible to help increase water levels in the reservoir.”