Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning visitors at John Martin Reservoir State Park to avoid direct contact with the Arkansas River and John Martin Reservoir after millions of gallons of untreated sewage entered the river upstream in Pueblo.
The advisory began Monday, August 31st, as water affected by a reported 4.2-million-gallon sewage spill moved downstream toward the southeastern Colorado reservoir.
The untreated sewage entered the Arkansas River in Pueblo between August 26th and August 27th. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the affected water was expected to reach John Martin Reservoir by Monday morning.
The park remains open, but officials are asking visitors to stay out of affected water and avoid activities involving direct contact.
Swimming and Fishing Among Activities Affected
Beginning Monday, visitors are being advised against swimming, wading, tubing, paddleboarding, fishing and other activities that involve direct contact with water in the Arkansas River or John Martin Reservoir. Park officials are also asking visitors to keep pets away from the affected water.
Warning signs are being posted throughout the park and around the reservoir as officials monitor conditions. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is coordinating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and its own Water Resources staff as the contamination moves downstream.
CDPHE will collect water-quality samples at the park, while Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to update visitors as results become available. Park manager Dan Kirmer said early communication gave staff an opportunity to prepare visitors before the affected water arrived.
Separate Algae Concerns Continue
The sewage spill is not the only water-quality concern currently affecting John Martin Reservoir State Park.
Officials are also monitoring cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. The main reservoir was recently placed under a yellow caution level because of the possible presence of algae-producing cyanobacteria and toxins.
Lake Hasty, a separate body of water within the park, remains under a red danger algae condition and is closed to full-body water contact after recent testing showed increasing levels.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Lake Hasty will not be affected by the sewage spill, but its existing restrictions remain in place. Visitors are encouraged to follow posted warnings and monitor current conditions before participating in water-based recreation at John Martin Reservoir State Park.