Missing paddleboarder, dog blown into lake found dead, Colorado rangers say
A man and dog missing after being blown off a paddleboard were later found dead in a Colorado reservoir, rangers reported.
A sudden windstorm blew three people and the dog into Eleven Mile Reservoir at Eleven Mile State Park at about 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release.
Two of the people were wearing life jackets, rangers said. One swam to shore and the other clung to the paddleboard until they could be rescued.
The third, an adult man, and the dog went missing, rangers said. The man was not wearing a life jacket.
Searchers found the body of the man and dog about 11 hours later, rangers said.
”Weather conditions can change quickly at the park with sudden, strong wind gusts, and visitors are encouraged to check weather forecasts before heading outdoors,” rangers said in the release, urging visitors to wear life jackets on the water.
Eleven Mile State Park is about a 125-mile drive southwest from Denver.
What to know about drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published August 4, 2025 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Missing paddleboarder, dog blown into lake found dead, Colorado rangers say."