Boulder County, Colo. - Sheriff Joe Pelle, after consultation with the Town of Lyons and the Lyons Fire Protection District, has concluded that, in the interest of public safety, the Saint Vrain creeks and river will be closed to tubing and single chamber flotation devices.

The closure will take effect immediately, and will encompass the North and South Saint Vrain Creeks and the Saint Vrain River from the western county line through the entire length of Boulder County. Sheriff's deputies will be posting notices, advising recreationists of the closure.

The South Platte River Basin high snow pack is expected to melt quickly with the forecast high temperatures next week and cause the creeks and river to continue to rise and exceed the Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) threshold needed for a tubing ban. As of today, the Saint Vrain River was flowing at approximately 1,000 CFS.

The closure includes watercraft such as single chamber rafts, single chamber belly boats, and inner tubes from floating in the creek. There is a specific exemption for kayaks and white water canoes, which are permitted; nonetheless, kayakers are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and wear personal protection equipment including a life jacket.

The sheriff is authorized to close waterways under Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 33-13-111. Violations of the closure are a class 2 petty offense and will result in a $100.00 fine.

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