Lake Appreciation Month Celebrations

July is Lake Appreciation Month, an entire month dedicated to celebrating Colorado's beautiful, hardworking lakes and reservoirs. Colorado’s lakes are a valuable resource; they provide drinking water, irrigation, energy, recreation, scenic beauty, flood protection, and habitat for wildlife. Lake Appreciation Month is an opportunity for the entire family to learn about the many befits lakes provide and to give back to the environment by participating in shoreline cleanup, restoration demonstrations, ice cream socials, 5K runs, and water quality sampling events. The Division of Wildlife conducts Fishing is Fun events for the kids (at select reservoirs) and for the kid in us all, canoeing and boat rides. CLRMA invites you to join us at one of the many events held on both sides of the slope.

Lake Appreciation Month Shoreline Clean Up at Barr Lake – Over 200 volunteers joined in to help clean Barr Lake’s shoreline and remove noxious weed. Volunteers were treated to a free BBQ lunch. The fun activities started around 1pm and included canoe rides, paddle boats, ride-along with a Ranger, archery lessons, a Secchi Dip-In, face painting, and more. If this sounds like something you might be interested in volunteering for or simply want to bring the family, check back in the spring. We will be posting information for next year’s event at that time.

Lakes Appreciation Festivities at Ridgeway – The third annual Lakes Appreciation Day was held on July 16. Festivities included swimming, concessions, educational opportunities, H2O Joe, a nature walk, a boat tour,to name a few. In 2011, the event was held as part of the National Lets Move Outside Campaign started by Michelle Obama to help combat childhood obesity. Festivities are sponsored by Tri-County Water Conservancy and Friends of Ridgway State Parks.

Lakes Appreciation Festivities in Grand Lake – Grand Lake celebrates Lake Appreciation with gusto. Held in conjunction with Grand Lake’s Western Week Buffalo BBQ., Bboth CLRMA and Northern Water had booths in 2011. The days activities started with the Rotary Club’s Pancake Breakfast and Town’s 5k Run/Walk. Water Festival activities are held down along the Lakefront. I US Forest Service, Grand County Water Information Network (GCWIN), and CLRMA assisted Town Representative Kathy Lewis in taking the Official Secchi Disk Reading. Water festival activities throughout the day will included hands on activities for adults and kids, displays, exhibits, and a self-guided lake tour. Live music and food, including the famous Buffalo BBQ, topped off the festivities.