A five year mystery has come to an unexpected end at Colorado’s Green Mountain Reservoir after an all terrain vehicle that disappeared beneath the ice during an ice fishing trip resurfaced because of exceptionally low water levels.
According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the ATV sank into the reservoir five years ago after an ice fisherman experienced what the agency described as “a little mishap.” At the time it appeared the vehicle was gone for good, resting on the bottom of the reservoir with little chance of ever being recovered.
That changed this summer as severe drought conditions dramatically reduced water levels, exposing areas of the reservoir that are normally underwater.
Drought Reveals Long Lost Vehicle
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said Green Mountain Reservoir is currently sitting at just 23 percent of its total capacity. The unusually low water level allowed the long lost ATV to emerge from what had been its underwater resting place for half a decade.
With the vehicle now accessible, its owner is working alongside the United States Forest Service to recover it from the exposed shoreline.
The conditions that made the recovery possible truly demonstrate just how brutal the drought conditions are across Colorado. Reservoirs throughout the state have experienced declining water levels as dry conditions continue to affect water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems.
Low Water Continues To Expose Hidden Objects
As reservoir levels continue to fluctuate, old roads, foundations, vehicles, and other long forgotten objects occasionally reappear after spending years beneath the surface. Green Mountain Reservoir has now added another unusual discovery to that growing list. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the irony of the situation, noting that while low water levels are not good news overall, they can lead to remarkable discoveries that would otherwise remain hidden.
Whether additional long lost items emerge from the shrinking shoreline remains to be seen. For now, the resurfaced ATV marks the unexpected conclusion of a story that began with an ice fishing accident five years ago and ended only after drought conditions transformed the landscape around Green Mountain Reservoir.