It was my first paddling on the Horsetooth Reservoir this year. I launched Sea Wind canoe at North Eltuck Cove from Lory State Park just dragging my boat on snow like sleds. It was similar snow scenery as four years ago when I was shooting Colorado Winter Paddling video clip. Just an easy 6 mile paddling with a long photo session at Quarry Cove.

Not much paddling in December 2007. Every year I spent a week in December in San Fracisco attending Fall Meeting of American Geophysical Union. I was shooting some cityscapes with a new Canon EOS 40D camera. After returning back to Colorado I manage to take Sea Wind canoe to the Horsetooth Rservoir before it was frozen.

During two years, 2001 and 2002, the Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, Colorado, was drained to just few % of its capacity to allow repairs to the main dam. The 6 mile long lake was reduced to three ponds connected by long narrow channels with some whitewater. The flow was supported by water diverted from the Colorado River within the Big Thompson Project.

Paddling was very interesting, but quite challenging in these narrows channels with a strong current. It was quiet, no motorboats since boat ramps didn’t reach water. Low water uncovered many structures at the lake bottom.

Below you can find 10 selected pictures from these dry years on the Horsetooth.

A lot of paddling on my local waters in northern Colorado including Beaver Pond, Horsetoorh Reservoir and Boyd lake. Starting paddling season on the South Platte River. I was paddling Thunderbolt-X kayak and shooting with Pentax Optio W10.