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HARPER LAKE OPEN SPACE
<br />Welcome to the Leon A. Wurl Wildlife Sanctuary at Harper Lake Open Space!
<br />Harper Lake Open Space is approximately 49 acres and was dedicated to the City of Louisville in 1979 by Leon A. Wurl. Wurl served as the Louisville Town Administrator (City Manager) from 1972 -1984 and
<br />helped guide developments as Louisville's population began to grow. During the mid- 1980's, the water body of Harper Lake was expanded from its original size of approximately 8 % acres to its current size of 31
<br />acres to provide for additional water storage for the City of Louisville's municipal water supply. The Sid Copeland Water Treatment Plant, located to the north of Harper Lake, typically draws water from the Lou-
<br />isville Reservoir, which is supplied either from South Boulder Creek or from trans- mountain diversions. Currently water from Harper Lake is not frequently used for municipal supply, however, this facility will
<br />become more utilized as Louisville's water demands grow. The Harper Lake reservoir holds approximately 233 million gallons of water.
<br />Harper Lake is a popular place for visitors to enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride around the properties' almost one mile -long trail. It is also a popular fishing area for anglers. The lake is stocked annually with ap-
<br />proximately 2,000 Rainbow Trout and 1,000 Channel Catfish by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Other fish species are also present in the lake, including Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Blue Gill,
<br />and Spottail Shiners.
<br />se;r
<br />White-tailed Deer: This large ungulate is widely distributed
<br />east of the Rocky Mountains and is easily distinguished from
<br />its sin the mule dcerby the white underside of its tail.
<br />White-tailed deer flash them whim tells to alert fawns and
<br />other members of the herd Met danger is nearby.
<br />Double-eres. Cormorant: During the summer months
<br />look out for cormorants diving r fish or standing along the
<br />shore with their wings Thread out to dry. These esM.eating
<br />water birds have straight bins and hooked tips.
<br />Canada GPO Keens look out for Canada gee ong
<br />trail or paddling in Harper Lake, These year-round residents
<br />are often observed along rise trail corridor and frequently
<br />1 along the shoreline during the early summer months.
<br />Nesting Canada Geese may mrnetimes show aggressive be-
<br />havior towards .sitors. Protective geese seem panicniarq
<br />alert to runners using the Sail and may chase or fly towards
<br />citizens. During nesting months (March-May) Open Space
<br />staff may temporarily close sections of the trail if aggressive
<br />behavior.. been reported.
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<br />Legend
<br />-A- You Are Here
<br />Louisville Open Space
<br />Louisville Parks
<br />— Multi -use Trails
<br />— Roads
<br />Trailhead
<br />■ Trail Access Points
<br />■l.!vs alts.
<br />Rainbow Tint Rainbow Trout are
<br />a popular game fish with bluish -green
<br />coloring with a purple iridescence and
<br />black spotting along their back and
<br />sides. Rainbow trout eat fish egg.,
<br />aquatic insects, crawfish. and small
<br />fish.
<br />Lareemanlh Ras.: This fish is a
<br />member of the *Wish family and is
<br />ehmzeterieed by Its Porge mouth, olive
<br />green coloring. end dark marks along
<br />the Ranks. Adults inhabit deeper wa-
<br />r where they prey on sunfish and
<br />mall catfish, Thm. and even ether
<br />bass, Anglers should watch out for
<br />sharp spines on their dorsal and pecto-
<br />ralRnw
<br />Common Whifemn Skimmer: Often seen hovering over
<br />ponds and lakes, this member of (*dragon., family has
<br />bands or spots on its wings and a wingspan oft -0". During
<br />the summer months, look for females making a splash
<br />when depositing eggs in Me water by stoking her abdomen
<br />on the wale's surface.
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<br />Cottonwood Then: Located on the south-east section of
<br />Harper Lake Open Space, cottonwood trees are tan decidu-
<br />ous trees which can be easily idemieed by the deep grooves
<br />fund on the their thick bark. Cottonwood Sees are the
<br />fastest growing trees in North America; growing up to an
<br />feet M one year and reaching heights of over 100 feet Cot -
<br />woods thrive around lakes and dyes and arc drought
<br />and Road tolerant trees found in riparian area..
<br />Can you find this cottonwood tree,
<br />City of Louisville properties are funded, in part, by the voter approved Conservation Trust -Open
<br />Space and Parks Fund.
<br />MANAGEMENT & SAFETY
<br />RULES & REGULATIONS
<br />Harper Lake Contains the City of
<br />Louisville's Drinking Water
<br />Because Harper Lake contains the City of Louis-
<br />ville's water supply. the lake is managed by the
<br />City of Louisville Public Works Department. The
<br />land surrounding the lake is managed by the
<br />Parks and Recreation Department The Parks and
<br />Recreation Department is mandated to manage
<br />the property to provide for the protection of the
<br />dam, which is located on the eastern side of the
<br />property. As a result, the Parks and Recreation
<br />Department cannot plant trees or shrubs along the
<br />dam to ensure that vegetation does not compro-
<br />mise the dam. Regulations also require that the
<br />dam be kept free of all vegetation, except grass, in
<br />order to prevent root penetrations and discourage
<br />animals from burrowing in the dam.
<br />No Dogs Allowed
<br />Dogs are not permitted at Harper Lake Open
<br />Space. Animal skin and feces can pollute the wa-
<br />ter supply with harmful bacteria such as Esche-
<br />richia Coli and Psendomonas Aernginasa. The
<br />presence of dogs at Harper Lake may also disturb
<br />wildlife. Leashed dogs are permitted on Da-
<br />vidson Mesa Open Space, located on the west
<br />side of the McCaslin Underpass.
<br />No Bodily Contact with Water or
<br />Motorized Boats Allowed
<br />Human bodily contact (swimming, some inflata-
<br />bles, stand -up paddle boards. scuba diving, water
<br />skis, etc.) and motorized water vessels are not per-
<br />mitted in Harper Lake. Canoes, rowboats, touting
<br />kayaks, and some inflatables are acceptable with a
<br />boat permit obtained from the City of Louisville
<br />Parks and Recreation Once.
<br />Wildlife Sanctuary
<br />Harper Lake provides water for wildlife and offers
<br />great habitat for song birds. The City of Louis-
<br />ville has planted native trees and shrubs on the
<br />property, where permitted based on darn regula-
<br />tions, to increase the value of Harper Lake's wild-
<br />life habitat.
<br />Open Space Mission:
<br />To conserve and restore Open Space through land
<br />acquisition and management for the protection of
<br />natural and cultural resources and provide oppor-
<br />tunities for education, volunteering and appropri-
<br />ate passive recreation.
<br />. Dogs are not permitted.
<br />. Horses are not allowed.
<br />. Boating is limited to human- powered a;
<br />with no human- contact allowed with a
<br />ter. Swuruning or the use of some infli
<br />or stand -up puddleboards are not pent
<br />Harper Lake. Boating permits are tug'
<br />Permits are obtained at the City of Loui
<br />Parks and Recreation office.
<br />. The property and trails are open from
<br />hour before sunrise to one hour after s
<br />Camping is not allowed.
<br />Unauthorized motorized vehicles are n,
<br />mined on open space except in designa !
<br />trailhead parking lots.
<br />. Do not feed, disturb, molest or kill coil i
<br />. Discharging or carrying fire ante, erns_
<br />f eworks, explosives, or projectile we
<br />of any kind is not permitted. This incl
<br />paiotball, BB, pellet, air, and blow gun'
<br />longbows, and slingshots.
<br />. Glass containers and battles are not pe:
<br />on open space.
<br />. Fires are not permitted.
<br />. Do not collect, remove, destroy, or deface
<br />any natural or manmade object including
<br />plants, fences, signs, or kiosks.
<br />. Fishing is permitted with a valid Colorado
<br />License. Fishing licenses are not required for
<br />children under the age of 16. Anglers are re-
<br />quired to follow all State regulations.
<br />The purpose of these rules and regulations is to
<br />protect the property's natural resources and to
<br />ensure that people have a safe and enjoyable
<br />visit. Rules and regulations may vary slightly
<br />depending on the Open Space property. The
<br />list of Open Space rules and regulations is in
<br />the City of Louisville Municipal Code. As an
<br />Open Space visitor, you are responsible for
<br />knowing and obeying all rules and regulations.
<br />Please enjoy your visit!
<br />In an emergency such as a foe, injury, or any
<br />situation requiring immediate attention call
<br />911. For other unlawful activity, call Police
<br />Dispatch at 303 -441 -4444.
<br />For other information on Open Space, contact:
<br />City of Louisville, Parks and Recreation De-
<br />partment, 717 Main Street, Louisville, CO
<br />80027. 303 - 335 -4735 or visit the City of
<br />Louisville wcbpego.
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