Two Tragic Drownings at Eleven-Mile Reservoir: A Wake-Up Call for Water Safety

What Happened at Eleven-Mile Reservoir?

In just nine days, two people lost their lives at Eleven-Mile Reservoir in Park County, Colorado. The Park County Sheriff’s Office is heartbroken and wants everyone to learn from these tragedies so no other families have to go through this pain.

Location: Eleven-Mile Reservoir, Park County, Colorado
Timeframe: Two separate incidents within 9 days (August 6 and August 15, 2026)

The Two Incidents

First Tragedy — August 6, 2026

• Victim: A 67-year-old man
• Activity: Kayaking with a friend
• What went wrong: Strong winds suddenly flipped his kayak
• Life jacket issue: He was wearing one, but it didn’t fit properly — it rode up and covered his face when he fell in
• Outcome: Bystanders pulled him out, performed CPR for 30 minutes, but he was pronounced dead at the scene

Second Tragedy — August 15, 2026

• Victim: A 28-year-old man
• Activity: Paddleboarding with a friend
• What went wrong: He fell off his paddleboard into the water
• Outcome: Good Samaritans helped his friend to shore. Boats and dive teams searched for hours and recovered his body that night

Both victims were men. Neither has been publicly identified yet.

The Ripple Effect: It’s Not Just the Victims

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

• Bystanders put their own lives at risk trying to help
• Witnesses will carry these memories forever
• First responders (CPW officers, Hartsel Firefighters) face traumatic situations again and again

Special Thanks: The Sheriff’s Office specifically recognized Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers and Hartsel Fire Protection District responders for their quick, dedicated work during these difficult incidents.

IMPORTANT: The Life Jacket Lesson You Must Know

CRITICAL POINT: In the first incident, the victim WAS wearing a life jacket — but it didn’t fit right. When he fell in, the jacket rode up and covered his face, which likely made things worse instead of better.

This proves: Just having a life jacket isn’t enough. It must fit correctly!

6 Life-Saving Water Safety Rules (Numbered for Easy Remembering)

The Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to follow these rules every single time you go on the water:

1. WEAR your life jacket — Not just "have it on board." Put it on. Make sure:

   • It’s the right size for you
   • It fits snugly (doesn’t ride up over your chin/face)
   • It’s made for your activity (kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.)

2. STAY SOBER — Alcohol and drugs mess up your:

   • Judgment
   • Balance
   • Reaction time
   • Ability to handle emergencies
     Save the drinks for when you’re safely back on shore.

3. RESPECT THE WEATHER & WATER — Conditions can change fast, especially wind:

   • Lightweight craft (kayaks, paddleboards) become very hard to control in wind/waves
   • If it looks unsafe, DON’T GO OUT — or GET OFF the water immediately

4. WATCH EACH OTHER — Never assume "someone else is watching":

   • Stay close to your group
   • Communicate constantly
   • Know where everyone is at all times

5. HAVE A WAY TO CALL FOR HELP — Keep your phone or communication device:

   • Protected from water (waterproof case/pouch)
   • Accessible in an emergency (not buried in a dry bag)
   • 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 fun into emergency in seconds:
   • Don’t overestimate your swimming/boating ability
   • Don’t underestimate the power of the water

Summary

The Sheriff’s Final Plea: "Please look out for one another. Wear your life jacket. Know the conditions. Stay sober. And make safety the most important part of your day on the water."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. If I’m a strong swimmer, do I still need a life jacket?

Yes! Even Olympic swimmers can drown in cold water, high altitude, or rough conditions. A life jacket keeps you afloat without effort — which matters when you’re exhausted, injured, or in shock from cold water.

2. How do I know if my life jacket fits correctly?

• Put it on and tighten all straps
• Lift your arms overhead — the jacket should NOT ride up over your chin or face
• Have a friend pull up on the shoulder straps — it shouldn’t move past your ears
• Test it in shallow water before going deep

3. Why is high-altitude water (like Eleven-Mile) extra dangerous?

• Colder water → faster hypothermia, gasping reflex, muscle failure
• Thinner air → you tire faster, get winded quicker
• Sudden wind storms are common in mountain reservoirs
• Help takes longer to arrive in remote areas

4. What should I do if I see someone struggling in the water?

1. Call 911 immediately (know your location!)
2. Reach or throw, DON’T GO — use a pole, rope, or throwable flotation device
3. Only enter water as last resort — and wear a life jacket yourself if you do
4. Many drownings become double tragedies when rescuers become victims

5. Can I drink alcohol if I’m just paddleboarding near shore?

No. Balance is everything on paddleboards/kayaks. Alcohol destroys balance and judgment. Many drownings happen in shallow water because someone fell, got disoriented, and couldn’t right themselves. Zero alcohol = safest choice.

Remember: The water doesn’t care how old you are, how strong you are, or how many times you’ve done this before. Respect it. Prepare for it. Survive it.

Source: Park County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Post & KKTV 11 News Reporting
Copyright 2026 KKTV. All rights reserved.