Popular lake reopens after mudslides
Campers had rather been there for the biggest summer weekend but are glad that cleaning up a mudslide mess has allowed a recreation area near Buena Vista to reopen.
Cottonwood Lake and its campground closed last Thursday after heavy rain produced a series of mudslides that forced evacuations. Campers and fishermen regained access Thursday morning.
“It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be,” said Michelle Orlandino, whose family was visiting from Parker, Colo. “The boat (ramp) isn’t nice and sandy like we’re used to, but we’re making the best of it,”
Dustin Faflick of Wichita, Kan., said he and his wife were the first to arrive at the lake when it reopened.
“I’m just glad it did before we leave this Saturday,” he said. “We haven’t been here for a few years. The fish must be hungry. We’ve caught quite a few.”
Many campers arrived in town only hours before the first mudslide and were disappointed they couldn’t enjoy the holiday there, but some found other activities or other places to camp and fish.
County workers are still removing debris by the dump truckload, from the area. They hope to finish next week. A worker said the dirt will be used to fill in washed out dirt roads after future storms.
The lake’s campground remains closed because of extensive flood damage.
