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Warm weather brings rain and snowmelt causing local rivers to swell. Tips for keeping safe and having fun.

Water levels are expected to continue to rise, with peak flow between the end of May through June.
Dickens Farm Tubing (6 of 16)
Tubing at Dickens Farm Nature Area Boston Ave (Photo by Matt Maenpaa)

If you’ve driven over the St. Vrain Creek near Main Street recently, you may have noticed how much higher the water has become. With the warmer weather here, along with recent rain and the snowmelt beginning, pretty soon people will be able to enjoy all the river has to offer with both kayaking and tubing through town. However, with anything, there are some important safety steps to keep in mind.

“It’s just getting high, so it will start getting dangerous, but then it will drop and it will be fun again.” said Tom Forestieri, the operations director for Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides, a Boulder-based outdoor company that takes people rafting around the state. Forestieri is referring to local waterways and how enjoying them does require some homework.

“Know what you’re getting into, like where you’re putting (your kayak) in and taking it out. Know what conditions are downriver. Don’t just throw yourself into the river and see what happens,” Forestieri said. “Kind of scout it out is always a good idea the first time.”

In Longmont, the Dickens Farm Nature Area, which includes a course for both kayaking and tubing, officially opened last summer, but COVID-19 slowed plans for a celebration. The project had been in the works for years. 

Visitors can float from Main Street down to Martin Street for a half-mile ride, or continue down to the Colo. 119 Trailhead which makes the course about a mile and a half. 

Safety is also a priority for the city of Longmont.

“The city encourages safe recreation of all water sports in creeks, rivers, lakes and reservoirs and strongly suggests that anyone taking up a new sport familiarise themselves with all necessary safety precautions,” said Rigo Leal, a public information officer for Longmont.

While the city itself doesn’t watch water levels, the state of Colorado does monitor flow rates, and anyone interested in checking the levels on the St. Vrain Creek can find them through a tool on the state’s website.

However, the city does test the water both upstream and downstream of Dickens Farm Nature Area for issues like E. Coli. City officials say these concerns and other issues are why there are signs that let anyone entering the water know it is “at your own risk.”

Forestieri said a key to safety is having the right gear. He recommends anyone kayaking or tubing to wear a  personal flotation device. Other safety precautions can include wearing a helmet and having either closed-toed shoes that can get wet or sandals that strap to your feet, in the event you need to stand up in the water.

“It’s always good to go with a buddy. Have someone else with you, so someone else can look out for you,” Forestieri said. He says if you do go alone be sure to let someone know where you’re going, what your plan is and when to expect you back.

Forestieri expects the water to continue to rise with peak flow to happen around Memorial Day through June.

Finally, a separate but related issue, the city of Longmont has seen people jumping from pedestrian bridges as the water rises. The issue even led the city to close a bridge last year.

“Last year, the city saw an increased number of people jumping off the bridges crossing the St. Vrain downtown. This prompted the city to issue a decree prohibiting bridge jumping on city property, said Jeff Satur, the deputy chief of Longmont’s Department of Public Safety. “This decree is being reviewed again for this particular season.”

In the meantime, city officials and others plan to see plenty of visitors on the waterway this summer.

“I wanted to go out there (Dickens Farm Nature Area) with my son as well, and a week ago we couldn’t even get down and now it’s overflowing, so it looks like it’s going to be fun,” Forestieri said.