Boulder’s Teller Lake #5 has officially dried up, leaving hundreds of fish left struggling to survive in the small puddles of water that remain. The lake, which is managed by Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, was hit hard by the year’s extreme drought. Low snow levels and runoff throughout the year left little water for the 120 people with junior water rights to the lake.
Water rights in Boulder are based on seniority, meaning those with senior water rights have access to water before those with junior rights. Sufficient snow levels and early runoff are crucial for junior water storage lakes like Teller Lake #5, because spring melts allow the lake to fill early in the season, leaving ample water for those with junior rights. When snow levels and summer rains are low, senior rights use up a higher percentage of the available water, leaving less for those with junior status. And in this case, that means eventually, there is no water left to fill the lake.
Teller Lake #5 is Boulder’s only lake to completely dry up this season, says Jim Reeder, Division Manager for OSMP. However, water levels in all of the county’s lakes and ponds were down 50% or more this year. Given the year’s low snow levels and drought, Boulder County will be especially hard-hit if this year doesn’t see improvements. Another winter without early and sufficient snowfall could have a serious impact on the region’s lakes and agriculture.
Fortunately for Boulder County residents and those with junior water rights, snow is expected to hit late tonight, with some areas receiving up to two inches. While it is too early to know if snowfall will continue throughout the winter and into the early spring, when snow melt is most important, the hope is that it will.
As for the fish who are dead or dying in Teller Lake #5, the city is leaving it up to scavengers such as seagulls to clean up the mess. Don D’Amico, ecological systems supervisor and wetlands ecologist for the city’s open space department, said relocating the low-value fish is outside of the city’s capabilities.
Link:
The Wildlife Blog 
