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Ron Dellacroce looked out over the now full reservoir straddling Moffat and Routt counties, and tried to picture Saturday's opening day crowd. The veteran Colorado State Parks manager has a few concerns.

"It's a whole new lake," he said. "If people aren't careful, things can reach out and get you."

Floating debris

The "things" referred to by Dellacroce include an abnormal amount of floating debris on the lake's surface.

From small sticks to tree trunks to pieces of lumber bolted together, Elkhead is home to some flotsam that could puncture, and even sink an unsuspecting ski-boat.

There's a ton of debris out there," said Bill Earley, Craig Public Works Director. "Some wood that was on the bottom of the lake has spent two-years drying out and it's floating again."

That combined with a new waterline that re-floated an amount of debris washed ashore on the old reservoir, has park rangers warning boaters about the hazard.

"This is not the same lake it was three years ago," Dellacroce said. "There are grazing fences on the north end that are underwater. We mark as many hazards as we can, but everyone should realize we can't mark them all."

Use caution

He asks boaters to use caution when exploring the lake, and to move slow and steady though areas the first time.

Rangers also are asking the boating public to be considerate of others while visiting the reservoir.

"If you haven't run your boat for three years, don't make your first attempt to start it sitting on the boat ramp," Dellacroce said. "If there is a line of boaters waiting to launch, you will be given about 10 minutes, then you will be asked to pull out and let others go ahead."

There is a list of other things that often catch boaters off guard each spring, such as forgetting to put the drain-plug back in the boat, or failing to check the charge on fire extinguishers.

A dead battery is better discovered in town than on the boat ramp, the rangers said.

New this year

A new Colorado law this year requires any boater under 13 years old to be wearing a life jacket at all times when aboard a floating vessel.

Before driving a boat, 14- and 15-year-olds must have attended a safe boating class offered by States Parks.

Courtesy inspections are available from Colorado State Parks officers at Elkhead, and boating tips can be accessed by visiting their Web site, or that of the U. S. Coast Guard.

All people must have a life jacket onboard, and each vessel must have a sound-producing device, such as an air-horn or whistle.

"It all starts with life jackets. They are no good unless they are on your body," Dellacroce said. "Put it on and make sure they are the right size. Children have been held underwater by too big of a life jacket."

Safety first

He reminds the public that every body of water in Colorado has rules and regulations governing safety.

"Most accidents on the river occur within 10 feet of the shoreline," he said. "Be extra careful getting in or out of the water. Parents, please watch your children."

There are other warnings and safety tips the public should be aware of before hitting the lake for the first time.

Pay close attention to buoys used to mark no-wake areas and slower speed zones.

The boat launching dock is not in place yet at the reservoir, so launching may require boaters getting wet.

In the days before opening of the new Elkhead reservoir, a dozen people scrambled to get everything ready.

Curbs and sidewalks near the restrooms and boatramp are all new, and not all fencing is completed in the parking lots. The reservoir will only be open for day use until campgrounds are constructed later in the summer.

"It's a push to get open this early," Dellacroce said. "But the city and state parks have been working extremely hard to make this happen. We want people to get out and do some boating and fishing, but be careful. Watch out for construction the rest of the summer."

Dan Olsen can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 207, or dolsen@craigdailypress.com.