Rising river levels prompted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Golden Police Department to implement red flag restrictions at noon on June 9, closing Clear Creek to swimming and tubing.
These restrictions extend from Jeffco’s western edge through Golden city limits, including Vanover Park, according to a June 9 Sheriff’s Office press release.
Under red flag restrictions, only kayaks, whitewater canoes, multi-chambered professionally guided raft and riverboards may operate in the creek. These users should wear life jackets and helmets at all times, and proceed with extreme caution as water levels grow higher and faster in the coming days.
The restrictions will be strictly enforced to minimize the risk to those using the creek, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Violators may be issued a petty-offense summons, punishable by a $100 fine.
As local rescuers have previously explained, water in Clear Creek can reach about 15 mph at peak flows. While that doesn’t seem fast compared to a car, rescuers have stressed that it’s much faster than people can swim. Plus, water temperatures are so low, people without proper gear can become hypothermic very quickly.
“The river is powerful,” Lt. Joe Bechina of the Golden Fire Department said last June. “It’ll win every time.”
Authorities will lift restrictions when water levels and speeds decrease. Based on recent years’ run-off trends, that may be in late June or early July.
In the interim, Clear Creek visitors may see firefighters and other rescuers conducting swiftwater training along the creek this month. It remains a popular training spot for rescuers from all over the country, including several local agencies.
Before recreating at the creek, visitors should check the flag warning status either online at VisitGolden.com or via the physical flags posted on the bridges over Clear Creek.
Click through additional photos of Clear Creek’s rising water levels on June 9:
On June 9, a kayaker navigates a rush of water at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park near the Lions Park playground. Amid rising water levels and speeds, authorities closed Clear Creek to swimming and tubing earlier that day, although kayaking and riverboarding were still allowed. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On June 9, a riverboarder rides a Clear Creek rapid near the Golden History Museum. While the creek was closed to tubing and swimming earlier that day, kayaking and riverboarding were allowed so long as users wore the proper safety equipment. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On June 9, a kayaker navigates a Clear Creek rapid near the Golden History Museum. Amid rising water levels and speeds, authorities closed Clear Creek to swimming and tubing earlier that day, although kayaking and riverboarding were still allowed. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On June 9, a kayaker navigates a rush of water at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park near the Lions Park playground. Amid rising water levels and speeds, authorities closed Clear Creek to swimming and tubing earlier that day, although kayaking and riverboarding were still allowed. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On June 9, a riverboarder floats away from a Clear Creek rapid near the Golden History Museum. While the creek was closed to tubing and swimming earlier that day, kayaking and riverboarding were allowed so long as users wore the proper safety equipment. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Looking west from the Washington Avenue Bridge, a pair of kayakers navigate Clear Creek amid rising water levels on June 9. Earlier that day, authorities implemented red-flag restrictions, closing the creek to swimming and tubing. Credit: Corinne Westeman