Drought conditions in Colorado have increased week by week. And while this poses significant danger to residents thanks to potential fires, a surprising discovery perhaps helped many Coloradans smile amid the heat: an ATV, long lost and forgotten, was recovered from a local reservoir.
According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the story involving the ATV started five years ago. Back then, right at the Green Mountain Reservoir located along the Blue River, there was an ice fisherman with his four-wheeler.
While catching fish while standing in the frozen reservoir, the man suddenly underwent an unspecified “little mishap.” In simple terms, the vehicle went through the ice and down into the depths of water right below.
For five years, the fisherman believed his vehicle was long gone, and maybe even got a new one as a replacement. Lo and behold, along came the droughts, and the Green Mountain Reservoir water level started to decrease.
ATV Found
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Thanks to low precipitation and high temperatures in Colorado, the reservoir was at 23% of its capacity. Then, from the water, something emerged.
To the SCSO’s shock, and most likely to the owner’s, the ATV reemerged. Drone footage shared by the sheriff’s office shows both the low water level and the ATV stuck on the edge of a formerly underwater rock formation.
Currently, the United States Forest Service is working alongside the owner to extract it from its resting place. Most likely, what remains of the ATV will not see the ice fishing days ever again.
Riding the ATV
A man known as Alpine Fishing Adventures appeared to be one of the first individuals who came across the ATV. While exploring the reservoir, he and his son encountered the all-terrain vehicle and took pictures.
One of them showed Alpine’s son riding the ATV. In the other photo, a buddy heater, an ice ladle, and a drill can be observed, precisely the tools the ice fisherman lost during his “little mishap.”
Initially, Alpine was to salvage the storage box and rod rack found in the area. However, he detailed that the ATV owner was contacted, so he refrained from doing so.
Colorado Droughts
Meanwhile, weeks-long droughts continue to be rampant in Colorado. As reported by The Denver Gazette, a significant portion of Colorado is now in stage three drought, including Denver, Broomfield, and Jefferson.
As said above, this translates to significant fire risks, especially in areas with higher human population. This is because a significant number of fires are either caused by humans or human-crafted infrastructure. High temperatures are expected to continue through August 6, although this is bound to change.
“While low water levels might not be the best news overall, it sure does make for some interesting finds,” the SCSO said. “Only time will tell what else is waiting to be discovered.”