Why do the lakes water level change throughout the year?
Both Centennial Lake (near the swimming pool) and Ehrlich Lake (in the Colony Point subdivision) are unlined lakes and they are fed by irrigation water. They fill in April when the irrigation ditches began to run, and stay filled up through October, when irrigation water stops. Throughout the winter, the water seeps from the lakes into the ground.
When does the Town fill the lakes with water?
The lakes are filled when the irrigation ditches start to run, usually in the middle of April.
Why is there straw in the lakes?
Over the past few years, the parks maintenance crew has found that barley straw is the best way to control algae in the lakes. We place the straw into the water throughout the spring and summer as needed.
Why are there so many dead fish in the spring?
The dead fish at the lakes are caused by the annual “winter kill”. The amount of fish loss each year is determined by a number of factors including the depth of the ice and how low the water level gets. This fish loss is normal. We work closely with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to ensure that any episode of fish kill is minimal and related to winter kill only.
When do you stock the lakes with fish?
The lakes are stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Typically, they come out once in the spring and once in the fall to determine whether or not they will stock fish in the lakes.
Why are there so many weeds in Centennial Lake, near the swimming pool?
Centennial Lake has a weed called “Eurasian Millfoil” growing in it. This is a noxious weed, and we have been working with the Weld County Weed Division to get control of this plant. We have started to have some success with a variety of different herbicides. We work closely with the Division of Wildlife to ensure that all the herbicides that we use are safe for the fish and other aquatic plants in the lakes.
Do I need a fishing license to fish? What is the limit on fish at the lakes?
The lakes in Milliken are part of the Colorado Division of Wildlife system, and are patrolled accordingly. For more information on fishing regulations throughout the State of Colorado, please visit the Division of Wildlife .
