The Denver Gazette

Mudslides, floods discolor Hanging Lake

BY SPENCER MCKEE Out There Colorado

While Hanging Lake dodged destruction as the Grizzly Creek Fire tore through Glenwood Canyon in the fall of 2020, side effects of the blaze are now having an impact on the iconic tourist attraction.

Hanging Lake, located about 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs in Glenwood Canyon, is known for its pristine blue waters and lush environment.

Now, the lake has turned brown due to heavy rains carrying debris and mud through the surrounding burn scar area. The situation is still being evaluated to determine if permanent damage to the site has occurred.

Currently, the area is closed, along with the stretch of I-70 that is used to access Hanging Lake. All reservations to visit the lake have been canceled, with a time of reopening yet to be determined.

Due to new burn scars in the area of Glenwood Canyon, monsoon moisture that’s hitting the state is impacting the terrain in ways it has not before.

The stretch of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon has been closed indefinitely due to damages left behind by mudslides being “unlike anything they [Colorado Department of Transportation] had seen before.”

OUT THERE COLORADO

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2021-08-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.denvergazette.com/article/282222308803076

The Gazette, Colorado Springs