Boating on Barker

HISTORY - Boating on Barker, known as BOB, is an organization dedicated to promoting non-motorized, environmentally friendly boating on Barker Reservoir. Following a lengthy period of public meetings, BOB sponsored a trial period of non-motorized boating during the summer of 1999. This trial was approved by Public Service, the Town of Nederland, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). During this period, close to 100 persons participated in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and canoeing. Wind data were collected prior to, and following the test period. The results of the testing and analysis of the weather data were presented in a report. Analysis of the data suggested that boating can be safely conducted during the summer months. The Summary and Conclusions are reported below.

MORE RECENT HISTORY - The test boating was to have continued through the summer of 2000. About this time, the City of Boulder entered into an agreement with Public Service to purchase Barker Reservoir and the boating testing was forced to be put on hold while the details of the purchase were being finalized. BOB had hoped to continue with test boating once the purchase was completed, however the City of Boulder chose to deny testing during 2001 due to their need to address higher priorities. The City of Boulder has agreed that if allowed, boating would be limited to only NON-MOTORIZED craft, a position that is shared with supporters of this project and the majority of the Nederland community. The City of Boulder has also stated that they have not yet made a decision on whether to allow boating and they are involved in seeking public input through citizen comments and public meetings during 2001.

We at BOB feel that there is a high level of support for expanding the recreational opportunities on Barker Reservoir. We also recognize that there are some people who oppose any type of change and there are many different visions as to how a boating operation would be supervised and what types of changes to the shoreline would be acceptable. We believe that any changes involved with the introduction of boating should be consistent with maintaining the mountain environment while balancing the need for human safety and equitable public access to the reservoir. We feel that once boating is approved, the details of how it is managed will be worked out through a process of  public dialogue. There are also those who think this project is promoted for the sole purpose of financial profit. Local businesses such as restaurants may benefit by a small increase in recreational opportunities, but this will be an overall side effect of boating. However as a Coast Guard licensed sea captain who has voluntarily worked at this effort for over 12 years, I can tell you that the supporters of boating on Barker Reservoir do so based on their love of the water and the outdoors and have nothing to gain financially.

FERC - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the Federal Agency responsible for licensing Hydroelectric Projects including Barker Reservoir, and specifies the type of recreational uses that are allowed within its license. The City of Boulder has noted that the current FERC license does not provide for boating. It is true that boating is not specified in the current license, because Public Service had never asked that it be. It is also true that FERC approved the Boating Test Program begun in the summer of 1999, which the City of Boulder chose to stop after their purchase of the reservoir. Of greater importance is the little known fact that Federal Executive Order 12962, signed by President Clinton on June 7, 1995, establishes policy for FERC by directing the agency to promote expansion of fishing and recreational opportunities upon water resources falling under their licensing jurisdiction. Put simply, it is most probable that FERC would strongly encourage, and possibly require the City of Boulder to expand recreational opportunities on Barker Reservoir to include boating as part during the relicensing process.

I've quietly sailed across Barker Reservoir during the boating test in 1999. I've appreciated the majestic view of the continental divide, seen across the water through a perspective unknown from shore. Quiet and clean non-motorized boating on this mountain lake provides an entirely different experience and in a way a wonderful opportunity to expand the array of recreational offerings that the City of Boulder can offer. Boulder Reservoir by contrast, with its flatland location, offers swimming, motorized and non-motorized boating, and a beach party fun type atmosphere. Barker reservoir, with its tranquil mountain setting and quiet non-motorized boating offers a contrasting experience and would add to the breadth of Boulder's recreational opportunities in a clean environmentally friendly manner consistent with the image promoted by Boulder.

To join the supporters of non-motorized boating on Barker......

Contact:   BoatingOnBarker@aol.com

UPDATE

CURRENT STATUS - On July 15th, the Boulder City Council voted to leave open a possibility for boating and provide the town of Nederland with an opportunity to submit a proposal for a boating plan. We will be meeting with the various community groups in the Nederland area to try to put together an acceptable boating plan. Since then, Boulder has written the town of Nederland asking if they were interested in developing a boating proposal. Nederland has indicated they would be interested. The ball is now back in Nederland's court to come up with a workable and affordable project. Stay tuned.

Boating on Barker 1999 Test Boating Report

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Summary

The initial phase of the test boating period took place between August 21st and September 19th. In general, the process went smoothly with no major problems or dangers encountered. A total of 95 boaters participated during the 5 weekend period. A variety of non-motorized craft were involved with the majority being canoes, kayaks, and small sailboats. The level of satisfaction with the boating experience was rated very high. Close to 95% of participants rated their experience positive or very positive.

Wind data were collected beginning in May at the upwind station and beginning in July at the Barker Dam downwind location. Wind data were analyzed and compared in several different ways including matching wind conditions on each boating day with the wind perceptions of the participants.

One of the most important contributions of the testing project is its ability to correlate strength and variation of measured wind speed with simultaneous boating conditions as assessed by actual boaters on the reservoir. An earlier study of boating hazards(1) on this reservoir, also systematically collected and analyzed wind data. Unfortuneatly, without a correlated boating experience to relate to their data, their interpretations and conclusions relied largely on speculation. While their scientific method of data collection appeared to be very thorough, their conclusions were left to speculation and failed to incorporate valid boating expertise or familiarity with other lakes with similar conditions. The raw wind data collected for this study do not differ greatly from those in the earlier study, however, the ability of this study to match the "real" wind data to "the real on the water boating experience" should lead to a increased validity in its interpretation and conclusion.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this interpretation is seen in reviewing Table 10 which reports hourly averages, average maximum, and the highest maximum wind speed specifically for those days that boating took place on the reservoir. Daily hourly averages which are the typical winds, varied from 4.0 to 11.8 mph. Average maximum winds which are fairly indicative of the maximum winds ranged from 10.0 to 24.5 mph. The highest daytime maximum wind which is the strongest gust that occurred on any particular day ranged from a low of 12.0 on September 18th to a high of 37.0 mph on September 5th. On September 11th, the strongest gust all day was 30.0 mph, and the average hourly maximum was 24.5.

(1) "Evaluation of Hazards Associated with Boating at Barker Reservoir":Envirosphere Company, 1985.

Based on the process of interpretation of the earlier study, September 11th may have been considered a hazardous day due to wind strength. However, there were several boats on the reservoir that day including canoes, kayaks and sailboats, and all participants reported a favorable experience and no problems related to the winds. The matching of wind data and subjective data tend to suggest that occasional gusts over 30 mph are not necessarily problematic and an occasional gust of 30 mph should not be confused with a sustained wind of 30 mph. In fact, while September 11th was one of the higher wind days, the real range of wind that would have been felt would have been somewhere between the average of 11.8 mph and the maximum average of 24.5. High winds were not considered a problem by participants during all of the testing days. At times sailors indicated they would have preferred stronger winds.

Contrary to prior speculation, we found that sailboats had no problem sailing back to the launch area at the West end of the reservoir. This was true regardless of wind strength  and wind direction which tended to be from the SouthWest. Canoes and kayaks also had no problem returning to the launch area. Also contrary to prior speculation, it was found that boaters were able to exit the lake along the steep North shoreline, even with the lake at its maximum level.

Overall the Conclusions of the wind analysis for 1999 can be summarized as follows:

1. Typical average Summer and early Fall winds can be described as ranging from calm to moderate (less than 18 mph), about 95 percent of the time. Average wind speeds for the period were slightly over 6 mph.

2. Winds in these categories are similar and possibly lighter than those experienced at other lakes where boating takes place.

3. Maximum high winds or gusts will run higher. These could be expected to exceed 38 mph 5 percent of the time, however they are not sustained and did not present a problem if and when they occurred during the test period. The impact of instantaneous maximum winds may be exaggerated.

4. Strong winds that can create unsafe conditions are possible during the year, but appear to be unlikely during normal summer months. These winds are usually associated with the onset of strong cold fronts which occur in late Fall, Winter, and possibly early Spring. These frontal system winds are also very predictable in advance.

5. Summer winds tend to increase toward the middle of the day however the average difference is around 5 mph. Contrary to speculation, there were not dramatic wind changes during the summer days.

On a subjective level, the winds on Barker Reservoir during the testing period, were found to be somewhat lighter and more consistent than those experienced on other lakes such as Carter Lake and Dillon Reservoir.

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