Colorado Drought Exposes ATV that Fell through Thin Ice 8 Years Ago
If you live in a climate where it gets cold enough for lakes and rivers to freeze - and you’re crazy enough to venture out on that frozen ice to go fishing - you need to be incredibly sure that the ice is thick enough so you don’t fall through. One Colorado winter angler did not do their due diligence, and lost a four-wheeler through thin ice. The likelihood of seeing that ATV again was nearly zero. With severe drought conditions, that ATV owner is getting a second chance.
A winter ice fisherman had their ATV plunge through thin ice on the Green Mountain Reservoir located along the Blue River in 2018. Now, due to the reservoir being at 23% of its normal capacity, the long-lost four-wheeler was exposed and a local fisherman and his son found it.
A Second Chance at a Sunken ATV
When the four-wheeler originally fell through thin ice back in 2018, the owner was fishing in 60 feet of water. Not only was the ATV consumed by the Green Mountain Reservoir, but a lot of other fishing gear as well:
- Buddy Heater
- Ice Ladle
- Ice Drill
- Storage Box
- Rod Rack
- Four-Wheeler
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deployed a drone, which showed the historically low water levels as well as the ATV stuck on the edge of an underwater rock formation (now exposed due to drought conditions). The United States Forest Service is working alongside the owner to extract it from its resting place.
"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."
Before Hitting the Trails
This is another cautionary tale that whenever we are exploring, trail riding in the outdoors, or even fishing with our all-terrain vehicles, we need to be safe and aware of our surroundings at all times. The fact that this owner only lost his four-wheeler and didn’t fall through the ice himself (exposing himself to hypothermia and other dangers) should act as a warning sign to all of us.
As always, let us know all of your thoughts about this unique tale and any misadventures you’ve ever had in the outdoors in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback and engagement.
I am the Editor-at-Large for Carbon Media (AllOutdoor.com, OutdoorHub.com, TheFirearmBlog.com, TheTruthAboutGuns.com, ATV.com, Off-Road.com). When I am not testing firearms or hunting, I am the Mayor of my hometown in St. Joseph, MN. I also am a writer for TheArmoryLife.com (Springfield Armory) as well as a Smith & Wesson and Glock Certified Armorer, Firefighter, and 1st Responder.
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