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Dock, pavilion and other improvements planned for Lake Nighthorse

Shoreline upgrades will provide seating, fishing pier

A new pavilion, fishing dock and swim beach at Lake Nighthorse are expected to give visitors more options for recreation and help relieve congestion at the lake’s boat ramp.

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Those with disabilities will also have better access to the lake by way of the paved pathway to the new floating dock that will provide access to the lake even as the water level fluctuates, Metz said.

Construction to build the recreation area is expected to close a portion of the lower parking lot at the lake and, on an as-needed basis, the courtesy boat dock may also be closed, she said. The work is expected to be finished this fall, near the end of the boating season, she said.

In October, the city expects to start work on a well near the entry to the lake to provide water that is needed to decontaminate boats carrying invasive mussels, Metz said.

Right now, the city is hauling in and paying for treated city water from a fire hydrant about 2 miles away near Bodo Industrial Park to decontaminate boats, she said. The city cannot use lake water for decontamination, she said.

The new recreation area and the well are expected to cost $558,800, Metz said. The city will split the cost of the projects with the Bureau of Reclamation, the agency that owns the lake.

Next year, the city may build a new, 1½-acre swim beach at the lake as well.

Mike MacLean, with the city of Durango, explains where a path will be built along the parking lot of Lake Nighthorse that will lead to an accessible fishing dock.

The project has not yet been approved by the Durango City Council.

The beach is expected to be built below the overflow parking lot and feature a floating rubber playground, she said. A breakwater will help reduce the waves in the beach area for swimmers, she said.

The beach is expected to cost almost $1.4 million, Metz said.

Leveling the area and putting in sand are likely to be some of the most expensive parts of the project, Petty said.

“We want to get a depth of sand that is appropriate and feels comfortable,” he said.

The city must also put in erosion control to keep the sand in place, but that has yet to be designed, he said.

A vaulted, self-contained toilet in the beach area will also contribute to the cost, Petty said.

The new recreation areas will fill a definite need at the lake, said Matt Gerhardt, managing partner with 4Corners Riversports. The company rents paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and other equipment at the lake.

The city plans to drill a well near the entrance of Lake Nighthorse this fall. Currently, the city must haul water to decontaminate boats infested with mussels.

“There is not really a good place for people to sit and enjoy the lake from the shore,” he said.

However, Gerhardt has noticed more tourists and residents visiting the lake this summer compared with last summer, when smoke from the 416 Fire blanketed the area in the mornings, he said.

“This summer is definitely much improved over last year,” he said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

Lake Nighthorse rendering (PDF)

Lake Nighthorse map (PDF)



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