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Boulder Parks and Recreation said the chemicals could cause skin irritation for those who enter the water.
BOULDER, Colo. — Fire retardant made its way into Boulder Reservoir on Tuesday while crews were battling the Stone Canyon Fire north of Boulder.
According to Boulder Parks and Recreation, the slurry was dropped into the St. Vrain Supply Canal, which flows into the Boulder Feeder Canal and then into Boulder Reservoir. As a result, slurry has entered the Boulder Reservoir. The slurry contains red dye, phosphorus and ammonia-based ingredients, which are not anticipated to pose a threat to human health.
The canal and reservoir are not currently being used as drinking water sources, so there is no risk to public health through the drinking water supply, officials said.
If there is a high enough slurry concentration in the water, residents who get into the reservoir might experience skin or eye irritation. The slurry has the potential to affect aquatic life and wildlife depending on concentrations.
Due to proximity to the canal inlet, the city advised against fishing and recommended that Boulder Reservoir visitors keep their dogs out of the water on the reservoir’s north shore.
City of Boulder staff are testing water quality in the reservoir to evaluate impacts over the coming days. The volume of slurry is estimated to be less than 0.001% of the total reservoir volume. At this level of dilution, it is very unlikely to see human health impacts.
City staff are also evaluating water conditions but don’t anticipate making additional adjustments to recreation operations with lake and swim beach operations continuing as programmed.
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