SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO – On Saturday, May 25, 2024, around 2:30 p.m., a sudden windstorm struck Dillon Reservoir, triggering multiple water rescues by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office boat rangers and the Dillon Marina staff. The first call was for a capsized kayak, where a man was found struggling in the water as his kayak drifted towards Roberts Tunnel. Concurrently, a call came in about a pontoon boat with 13 occupants being pushed against the rocky shore of the reservoir’s Snake River Arm.
The rescue team quickly divided their efforts. Dillon Marina personnel successfully rescued the hypothermic kayaker, who was then transported to Summit Medical Center. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s ranger assisted the pontoon boat occupants, who were found safe after their vessel had beached on the rocks below the Summerwood neighborhood.
During the operations, the sheriff’s ranger also discovered an empty canoe and subsequently located a man and woman in the water a quarter mile from where their canoe had capsized in Heaton Bay. The couple, who had been in the frigid water for 30 minutes, were hypothermic and were treated on board the Sheriff’s Office rescue boat, Marine One, before being taken to the Frisco Marina for warm showers and a change of clothes.
The water temperature in Dillon Reservoir is currently 43 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause muscles to seize up quickly, making swimming nearly impossible. All individuals involved in these incidents were wearing life jackets/personal flotation devices (PFDs), which were crucial in preventing fatalities.
Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons commended the rescuers for their professionalism and reiterated the dangers of high alpine lakes like Dillon Reservoir. “This was the first weekend of 2024 Sheriff’s Office operations on Lake Dillon. I’m so proud of the professionalism our boat rangers and marina personnel bring as they save lives every week on this lake,” Sheriff FitzSimons stated. He continued, “High alpine lakes, like Dillon Reservoir, are extremely dangerous. Even exceptionally strong swimmers can find their muscles seize when falling into 43-degree water. Without a PFD, drowning is likely; we see it every year.”
Safety Tips for Water Recreationalists
Always Wear a PFD: Personal flotation devices are essential and required for all watercraft in Colorado, including paddleboards and other hand-powered watercraft.
Check Weather Conditions: Always check the weather forecast before heading out on the water. Sudden windstorms can create dangerous conditions.
Be Aware of Water Temperature: High alpine lakes like Dillon Reservoir can have dangerously cold water, even in summer. Hypothermia can set in quickly.
Use a Leash: When paddleboarding, use a leash to prevent being separated from your board in case of a fall.
Stay Close to Shore: Especially in windy or adverse conditions, it’s safer to stay closer to the shore where help is more accessible.
Know the Area: Familiarize yourself with the specific dangers and geography of the body of water you are on.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office and the Frisco Marina, in collaboration with the Sea Tow Foundation, offer a free life jacket loaner program. These stations are available at the Frisco Marina and the Sheriff’s Office Rangers Station at the Pine Cove campground.
Stay safe and enjoy the beauty of Dillon Reservoir by being prepared and responsible on the water.
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