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Electra Lake open to public after dam repairs

Strict rules to protect from invasive species
Electra Lake, north of Durango, was built to contain water from Cascade Creek and power the generators at Tacoma. It is reopening to limited visits by the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, but the public may bring in watercraft only on weekends at this time.

After being closed to the public for the past two years because of dam repairs, Electra Lake is reopening to limited public access until Oct. 31.

“We’re going to be very careful about not introducing invasive species like zebra mussels,” said David Fountain, chairman of the Electra Sporting Club board of directors. “We only have one staff member who is currently trained and certified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to do inspections, so until further notice, watercraft will only be allowed entrance on weekends.”

The club plans to expand the number of days the public can launch boats as more staff members are trained, he said.

Boats on trailers must have a tamper-proof band of inspection from Parks and Wildlife before they can enter Electra. Inspection stations are located at Vallecito, McPhee and the northern end of Navajo reservoirs.

When a boat on a trailer leaves Electra, it will be inspected and an inspection seal banded to the trailer so it will be allowed to enter the next time without having to visit an inspection station.

Canoes, kayaks and other nonmotorized watercraft must be clean and dry to enter.

“They won’t be allowed in if they’re wet, even from rain or if, for any other reason, our staff is not able to assure that they pose no risk,” Fountain said.

But it’s great the lake is ready to be opened again, he said, after two years of being drained down for the repairs.

“And the fishing’s great,” Fountain said.

abutler@durangoherald.com

If you go

Electra Lake north of Durango will be open to limited public visits from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until Oct. 31.

The public will be able to launch watercraft, however, on weekends only until further notice, as they will need to be inspected for invasive species. Nonmotorized watercraft must be clean and dry before they can enter.

A visitor day pass for recreation is $5, and a fishing day pass is $15. Children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult are free.

Nonmotorized watercraft are $5 per day; motorboats and trailered boats cost $20 per day.



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