The initiative is meant to increase public safety and awareness around low-head dams across Colorado, said Dan Gibbs, executive director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, in a news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cColorado has seen an increase in outdoor recreation in recent years, particularly on our rivers and streams, but this also has led to tragic fatalities on some of our low-head dam structures. These fatal accidents are avoidable and are a strong motivation for our Department to increase public outreach and education initiatives,\u201d Gibbs wrote.<\/p>\n
Since 1986, 13 fatalities have been associated with low-head dams, including four in recent years, according to DNR.<\/p>\n
The average age of those involved with low-head dam incidents are 13 to 30 years old.<\/p>\n
DNR and a private ditch company recently installed warning signs at a low-head diversion dam on the South Platte River adjacent to the Jean K. Tool State Wildlife Area. The dam, between Fort Morgan and Brush, is the site of drowning fatalities in 2016 and 2019.<\/p>\n
They have been criticized as \u201cdrowning machines,\u201d recirculating currents below them can swamp vessels and trap people who go over the dam.<\/p>\n
They also can be difficult to detect from upstream because their low height and tranquil upstream pool give little warning of the potential danger beyond the horizon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis can limit reaction time and boaters\u2019 ability to exit the river upstream of the dam,\u201d the news release said.<\/p>\n
Low-head dams, or check dams, sometimes can be identified by structures on the sides of the river bank.<\/p>\n In the Four Corners area, low-head dams and check dams can be found on the Animas River, Dolores River, San Miguel River, McElmo Creek, Mancos River, La Plata River, San Juan River, Piedra River, Pine River and Rio Grande River, among others.<\/p>\n In response to these boating accidents, the DNR formed the Colorado Low Head Dam Safety Steering Committee to address safety issues around low-head dams.<\/p>\n The team includes the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Division of Water Resources\u2019 Dam Safety Branch, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation, the Mile High Flood District and Wright Water Engineers.<\/p>\n