Two campgrounds near Basalt are shuttering for the season early after running out of water.
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The Little Maud and Mollie B campgrounds at the Ruedi Reservoir closed Wednesday because the nearby water well is not producing enough water, officials with the White River National Forest announced. That may come as no surprise to recent visitors, as water levels in the reservoir have been so low that the boat ramp closed on Aug. 4.
These campgrounds follow several others in Colorado that could not provide water to visitors during this summer’s drought. In White River National Forest, wells have also run dry at the Peak One, Lowry, Prospector, Windy Point and Marvine campgrounds. Those areas have not closed, but campers are required to bring their own water for drinking and washing their hands.
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Camping in national forests this summer has been a challenge between fire restrictions and the lack of water. However, after receiving some rain in July and August, most forests have loosened fire restrictions or done away with them altogether. That includes White River, which expands to Stage 1 fire restrictions throughout the forest on Sept. 11.
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