Henry and Meredith Closure

[William H Kaempfer]

Cobirders,

 

Unfortunately it seems that all access to Henry Lake and Meredith Reservoir in Crowley County has been suspended as noted in this press release from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases/pages/pressrelease.aspx?PressId=8465 .  The closure is due to low water levels and the two lakes won’t reopen until refilled and “conditions are determined safe.”

 

While this is something that we will have to obey, it seems like a massive failure on the part of DNR to recognize that not everyone is a hunter or fisher and wildlife viewing opportunities actually increase (especially at this time of year during fall shorebird migration) at time when water levels are low.  Imagine if Jackson, Prewitt, Jumbo, Barr Lake and so forth were closed to watchable wildlife opportunities because of low water levels.  Does anyone remember the gull viewing opportunities at Teller #5 in Boulder this past winter? (Thank you Christian for not closing the lake to the public because of the dangers imposed by the absence of water.)

 

Bill Kaempfer

President, Colorado Field Ornithologists

[The "Nunn Guy"]

How and what can Colorado birders and Colorado birding and conservation organizations do to increase DNR awareness of wildlife viewers, wildlife viewing opportunities and impacts of closures due to water-level (and other) safety concerns?  I am assuming they see the various reports showing the "economic power" and "quantity" of wildlife viewing in the State.

I was miffed that their latest ad campaign didn't include "Hug a Birder" ... :-)

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile:  http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m