Waterton Canyon reopens this Sunday

After three months of six-day-a-week closures, Waterton Canyon is reopening this Sunday.

The lower canyon has been closed Monday through Saturday since February 2 while crews repaired the High Line Canal diversion structure in the South Platte River, according to Denver Water.

Starting Sunday, hikers, bikers and walkers will be able to enter the canyon seven days a week.

However, because of storms in April and May, access to the river from the canyon entrance to mile marker 3.2 is closed indefinitely due to high flows.

“It’s important for the public to know that it is not safe to access the South Platte River in the lower portion of the canyon," said Brandon Ransom, Denver Water’s manager of recreation, in a statement sent to Denver7. “We will evaluate how the construction site handles the high flows this runoff season before making any decisions on when we can reopen it.”

2016 project

Denver Water said the High Line Canal diversion, was built in 1870. It's the wooden structure spanning the width of the South Platte River, about 1.5 miles up the canyon. It helps direct flows into the pipe that carries water to the High Line Canal, when needed.

During an inspection last May, engineers determined that the structure was deteriorating and needed to be replaced.

Construction on the new dam is expected to resume in the fall when the river recedes.

Learn more about Waterton Canyon here.