Cherry Creek State Park sustains major storm damage

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Cherry Creek State Park’s roadway has closed inde nitely due to severe ooding 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 inde nitely as it requires long-term repairs.

O cials have to evaluate approximately 1,700 square feet of road and bank damage, per the release.

“ e high reservoir levels have submerged the east and west boat ramps,” o cials said in the release.

“ e swim beach is also underwater, as well as a few picnic areas on the east side of Cherry Creek State Park.”

Park sta could not assess the damage and safety of the a ected areas until the standing water receded, according to the release.

On May 17, Colorado Parks and Wildlife gave a park ood update on its website, saying the reservoir is re- ceding very slowly, with an average of less than a quarter-inch per day. e campground has not been impacted by the ooding but many of the park’s beach areas, picnic tables and other facilities remain underwater, according to the update. e park’s dog o -leash area has reopened, but the stream access has been closed o .

“Both east and west boat ramps will remain closed as ood waters have engulfed the east ramp, other parking areas, and large debris are oating in the reservoir,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.

Park sta began pulling large debris out of the water on May 17, per the update.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommended residents follow its northeast region Twitter account, @CPW_NE, for updates.