The city of Durango is reporting slightly lower visitation numbers than last year for the Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area. As of Oct. 28, about 88,447 people had visited the reservoir this season according to preliminary numbers from the city. This estimate represents 83% of last year’s visitation at this point in the season.
Lake Nighthorse is currently open for recreation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, through Nov. 13. Recreation access will end on Nov. 14 for the winter wildlife closure.
This marks the fifth season of recreation at the reservoir, and Durango’s Natural Resources Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation Amy Schwarzbach said it was a joy to have a season uncomplicated by interruptions. She said this year’s lower numbers are likely a result of the availability of alternative recreation activities in the area as the region emerges from pandemic closures.
In 2018, the first season of recreation at the lake was interrupted by the 416 Fire, which forced the lake to close for nine days. Construction of the boat ramp also led to lower-than-expected numbers.
During the lake’s second season, half of the parking lot was closed for construction. In 2020, the third season of operation, construction of the swim beach had limited access.
“This year was smooth sailing, and it was wonderful,” Schwarzbach said.
The city has reported a steady increase in the number of visitors each year until now.
In addition to the income from vehicle entrances, the city receives income from independent contractors that run sailing lessons, guided fishing and boat rentals. Income data from the lake will not be available until after it fully closes for the season.
After a season unencumbered by construction, Schwarzbach says several changes are in the works for next year.
Following a handful of complaints from families, Parks and Recreation is working on a new management plan for the Wibit Aqua Park floating play structure. The structure has a capacity of 75 people and often hits that capacity limit early in the day. Families arriving during the early afternoon complained that their children often have to wait lengthy periods of time because families that arrived earlier have parked themselves on the floating jungle gym.
Schwarzbach said the city is examining similar play structures around the country and their respective management systems hoping to find a more equitable solution.
The city will also begin construction in 2023 on a new watercraft decontamination station and a new tollbooth at the park’s entrance. The tollbooth will be set back 200 feet from its current location to accommodate four lanes of traffic, which will prevent long lines from backing up onto County Road 210.
The new watercraft decontamination inspection station is a part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s efforts to control aquatic nuisance species statewide. The station will include a new tankless water heater, as opposed to the noisy diesel-fueled pressure washers that are currently in use.
“When you’re interacting with (a) boater, one of the most important processes is not just that we inspect the boats, but that a boater keeps their boat clean, drained and dry,” Schwarzbach said. “... They learn that through their interactions at these watercraft inspection stations. But when they get up there and you fire up the generator and it’s so loud, staff are having to shout at each other and it’s hard to interact with the boaters.”
The city has yet to solicit bids for the project and so Schwarzbach was unable to disclose the tentative budget.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
