Project Links
Motorized Access Plan / Environmental Assessment
Curecanti National Recreation Area » Motorized Access Plan / Environmental Assessment » Document List
Curecanti National Recreation Area is located in southwestern Colorado along the Gunnison River. The Recreation Area includes three reservoirs (Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal) and is managed to provide for public use and enjoyment while ensuring visitor safety, resource preservation, and the conservation of scenic, natural, historic, and archaeological, and wildlife values.
Traditionally, park policy has been to allow the operation of motor vehicles on lake-bottom routes within the pool area of Blue Mesa Reservoir (also referred to as Blue Mesa Lake), but only between the high water line - or the point at which the reservoir level is at maximum capacity - and the actual water surface level for the purpose of fishing access and boat launching.
Although the most common motor vehicles at the Recreation Area are cars and trucks, snowmobiles are often used to access popular ice fishing locations during the winter months. Current regulations limit snowmobiles at the Recreation Area to the frozen surface of Blue Mesa Reservoir and designated access roads.
Curecanti National Recreation Area initiated this planning process to comply with Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, which require that all units of the National Park Service establish policies and procedures that ensure that off-road vehicle use is managed to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Recreation Area and provide for the safety of all visitors.
We look forward to hearing your comments during the public planning process.
Curecanti National Recreation Area
RE: Motorized Vehicle Access Plan/ EA
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230
Traditionally, park policy has been to allow the operation of motor vehicles on lake-bottom routes within the pool area of Blue Mesa Reservoir (also referred to as Blue Mesa Lake), but only between the high water line - or the point at which the reservoir level is at maximum capacity - and the actual water surface level for the purpose of fishing access and boat launching.
Although the most common motor vehicles at the Recreation Area are cars and trucks, snowmobiles are often used to access popular ice fishing locations during the winter months. Current regulations limit snowmobiles at the Recreation Area to the frozen surface of Blue Mesa Reservoir and designated access roads.
Curecanti National Recreation Area initiated this planning process to comply with Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, which require that all units of the National Park Service establish policies and procedures that ensure that off-road vehicle use is managed to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Recreation Area and provide for the safety of all visitors.
We look forward to hearing your comments during the public planning process.
Contact Information
SuperintendentCurecanti National Recreation Area
RE: Motorized Vehicle Access Plan/ EA
102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230