Two Tragedies at Eleven-Mile Reservoir: A Urgent Reminder About Water Safety

What Happened

The Park County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado is asking everyone to pay close attention to water safety after two people drowned at Eleven-Mile Reservoir in just nine days. Both victims were men enjoying the water with friends when accidents happened. The sheriff’s office shared their grief and a list of safety rules to help prevent future tragedies.

The Two Incidents

First Incident: August 6

• Victim: A 67-year-old man.
• Activity: He was kayaking.
• Cause: Strong winds suddenly flipped his kayak, throwing him into the water.
• Response: Bystanders pulled him and his friend to safety. First responders performed CPR for 30 minutes, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
• Critical Detail: He was wearing a life jacket, but it did not fit properly. When he fell in, the jacket rode up and covered his face, which may have made it harder for him to breathe.

Second Incident: Friday Afternoon (Nine Days Later)

• Victim: A 28-year-old man.
• Activity: He was paddleboarding.
• Cause: He fell off his board into the water.
• Response: Good Samaritans helped his friend get back to shore. Boats and dive teams searched for hours and recovered his body Friday night.

IMPORTANT POINT
In the first tragedy, the victim had a life jacket on—but it didn’t fit right. A loose or poorly fitted life jacket can be dangerous. Always make sure your life jacket is the correct size, snug, and worn the right way.

Why This Matters: The Ripple Effect

The sheriff’s office wants everyone to understand that these tragedies hurt far more than just the victims and their families:

• Bystanders risked their own lives trying to help.
• Witnesses saw traumatic events they will never forget.
• First responders (Colorado Parks & Wildlife officers and Hartsel Fire Protection District firefighters) faced heartbreaking, difficult scenes again and again.

The office thanked CPW and Hartsel Fire for their quick, dedicated response during these worst moments.

6 Safety Rules to Follow Every Time You’re on the Water

The Park County Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to follow these steps before and during any water activity:

1. Wear a Life Jacket – Properly
   Don’t just carry one on board. Put it on. Make sure it’s the right size, fits snugly, and is designed for your activity (kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.) and the conditions.

2. Stay Sober
   Alcohol and other impairing substances wreck your judgment, balance, reaction time, and ability to handle an emergency. Save the drinks for when you’re safely back on shore.

3. Respect the Weather & the Water
   Conditions can change fast—especially wind. Lightweight craft like kayaks and paddleboards become very hard to control in strong winds and waves. If it looks unsafe, don’t go out. If you’re already out, get off the water.

4. Keep an Eye on Each Other
   Never assume someone else is watching your kids or your group. Stay close, talk to each other, and always know where everyone is.

5. Have a Way to Call for Help
   Keep your phone (or other device) in a waterproof pouch or dry bag where you can reach it instantly. Know your location so you can tell 911 exactly where you are.

6. Know Your Limits
   Cold water, high altitude, wind, waves, and exhaustion can turn a fun day into an emergency in seconds. Don’t overestimate your skills or underestimate the water.

Summary

Two men—ages 67 and 28—drowned at Eleven-Mile Reservoir within nine days. One was kayaking, the other paddleboarding. Both were with friends. In the first case, a poorly fitting life jacket may have contributed to the death. The sheriff’s office is pleading with the public to take water safety seriously: wear a properly fitted life jacket, stay sober, watch the weather, watch each other, carry a communication device, and know your limits. These steps save lives.

FAQ

1. Why is a life jacket that doesn’t fit dangerous?
If a life jacket is too big or not fastened correctly, it can ride up over your face when you hit the water. This can block your airway and make it impossible to breathe, even if you’re floating.

2. What makes Eleven-Mile Reservoir especially risky?
High-altitude reservoirs in Colorado often have cold water, sudden strong winds, and fast-changing weather. These conditions make lightweight boats like kayaks and paddleboards unstable and hard to control.

3. Can good swimmers still drown in these conditions?
Yes. Cold water causes cold-water shock (gasping, panic, loss of muscle control) within seconds. Wind and waves exhaust even strong swimmers quickly. A life jacket keeps you afloat without effort.

4. What should I do if I see someone in trouble on the water?
Call 911 immediately. Do not enter the water unless you are trained and have a flotation device. Reach or throw something that floats (a rope, a cooler, a spare life jacket) while waiting for professionals.

5. Where can I get a properly fitted life jacket?
Many outdoor stores, marinas, and fire departments offer free life jacket loaner programs or fitting checks. Always choose a U.S. Coast Guard–approved jacket labeled for your weight and activity.