Mark your calendars! Based on the following schedule, the 2023 Reservoir Use Permits will be available here, on the Town’s website. In the meantime, all current 2022 permits will remain valid through March 31, 2023 to access the reservoir.
On February 28, 2023, Town Council amended the Timnath Reservoir Use Policy. While there were minor changes made to the policy for 2023, the most significant changes were to allow for 65 annual motorized boat permits and to reduce the overall length of any boat on the reservoir to 24.
Timnath Reservoir is an exciting open space unique to Timnath. The use of the reservoir property is available to properly permitted residents, future Timnath residents, Colorado anglers, and their guests. The property is owned by the New Cache La Poudre Reservoir Company and is leased by the Town of Timnath for recreational purposes.
Timnath Reservoir has a surface area of approximately 580-600 acres with a 6-mile perimeter with a scenic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to the west. The reservoir and open space are utilized for aquatic activities such as boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming.
The reservoir is a man-made water body used by the reservoir company for irrigation purposes. The reservoir water levels will fluctuate seasonally in response to irrigation demands.
Address: 5824 County Rd. 40
Phone: (970) 231-7268
Hours:
April 1 through the Thursday before Memorial Day
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (or as posted on-site)
Friday before Memorial Day until Labor Day (including Labor Day)
6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier
Tuesday following Labor Day until March 31
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier (or as posted on-site)
Motorized boats – Thursday through Sunday
7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or to reservoir close, whichever is earlier
Permits: All visitors to the Timnath Reservoir requires a permit. Please proceed to the Timnath Reservoir Permits page.
The Cache La Poudre Reservoir Company and The Town of Timnath have a lease agreement to allow Timnath permitted individuals use of the reservoir and open space land. The agreement went into effect in 2016 and has a 15-year term. Information about the resolution can be found HERE.
Want access to a motorized boat on the Timnath Reservoir, but you’re not ready to commit to purchasing, storing, and maintaining a motorized boat? Try renting one with Buddy Boating, LLC instead! Council has just approved the ability to rent motorized boats for Timnath Residents to use at the Timnath Reservoir. Buddy Boating is a membership-based boating group that allows approved members access to well-maintained and late-model boats.
In becoming a member of the Buddy Boating program, you will be required to take a training class on safety and boat operations. All reservations will be made directly with Buddy Boating, LLC ahead of the day for usage. Buddy Boating, LLC will deliver and unload the boat at the Timnath Reservoir, and then retrieve the boat on the same day of the Reservation.
At certain times of the year blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, is present in the reservoir. The algae comprise of microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. Under certain conditions, blue-green algae can become abundant – especially in warm, shallow, undisturbed, nutrient-rich surface waters that receive a lot of sunlight. When this occurs, blue-green algae can form blooms that discolor the water, or produce floating mats or scums on the water’s surface. It may be a harmful blue-green algae bloom if the water is blue-green, green, yellow, white, brown, purple, or red, has a paint-like appearance, or if there is scum on the water surface. In previous years, blue-green algae has been confirmed in the Timnath reservoir – typically towards the end of summer and into early fall. Because direct contact can cause health issues in humans and animals, it is recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with the algae. The Town does not actively treat the algae.
How to spot blue-green algae
To protect yourself and your pets
If, after being in the reservoir, you or your animals have sudden or unexplained sickness call your doctor or veterinarian.