It looks like Haviland Lake will be drained after all.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced in early September the reservoir about 18 miles north of Durango off U.S. Highway 550 would be drained so repairs could be made to the dam and outlet structure.
But on Oct. 15, CPW said the project would be postponed and rescheduled for next year after an inspection revealed the mechanical device used to raise the outlet gate needed to be repaired before water could be let out of the dam to empty the lake.
That repair, oddly enough, is going to lead to the draining of Haviland Lake this month.
CPW crews put in a new device last week, but a part of the replacement equipment broke as it was being raised. As a result, the outlet gate cannot be closed to stop water from leaving the reservoir.
“CPW is working with agency engineers to determine next steps to make repairs,” the agency said in a news release.
Joe Lewandowski, spokesman for CPW, said it is unclear when the lake will be refilled.
“We don’t know,” he said. “Obviously, we certainly hope the lake will be refilled by next spring. As soon as we know, we’ll get the word out.”
The lake will slowly drain into Elbert Creek over the next 30 to 45 days, CPW said, and should not impact anyone downstream.
Anglers should rejoice: CPW has put in place an all-you-can-fish order effective until Dec. 31.
“For anglers, the order means they can keep all the fish they catch,” CPW said. Anglers must have a current Colorado fishing license; fish may be taken only by lawful angling methods (nets and seines are not permitted); and commercial fishing is not allowed.
