Cherry Creek State Park’s roadway has closed indefinitely due to severe flooding damage, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced.
“Last week’s 6 inches of rainfall over a three-day period caused Cherry Creek Reservoir to rise 10 feet, the largest single-event increase in water levels since 1965,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife in a May 15 news release.
According to the Department of Water Resources, on May 10, the elevation at the Cherry Creek Reservoir was 5,546 feet. By May 15, it was 5,556 feet.
As of May 19, the elevation was 5,555 feet.
According to the news release, the only roadway bisecting the park, called East Lake View Road, washed out in two places. As a result, the road is closed indefinitely as it requires long-term repairs.
Officials are working to evaluate approximately 1,700 square feet of road and bank damage, per the release.
“The high reservoir levels have submerged the east and west boat ramps,” officials said in the release. “The swim beach is also underwater, as well as a few picnic areas on the east side of Cherry Creek State Park.”
Park staff could not assess the damage and safety of the affected areas until the standing water receded, according to the release.
On May 17, Colorado Parks and Wildlife gave a park flood update on its website, saying the reservoir is receding very slowly, with an average of less than a quarter-inch per day.
The campground has not been impacted by the flooding but many of the park’s beach areas, picnic tables and other facilities remain underwater, according to the update.
“Both east and west boat ramps will remain closed as flood waters have engulfed the east ramp, other parking areas, and large debris are floating in the reservoir,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.
Park staff began pulling large debris out of the water on May 17, per the update.
The park’s dog off-leash area has reopened, but the stream access has been closed off.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommended residents follow its northeast region Twitter account, @CPW_NE, for updates.
Cherry Creek State Park road damage from Colorado Parks & Wildlife on Vimeo.
