“While low water levels might not be the best news overall, it sure does make for some interesting finds,” wrote the Summit County Sheriff’s Office about a recent discovery at Green Mountain Reservoir.

The reservoir involved in the find is extremely low compared to the norm amid a dry year, with its boat ramp already closed for the season and more than a dozen feet from the water line. As water levels have dropped, at least one big ticket item has been found at the bottom of the lake, generally unseen and unrecoverable due to many feet of water that typically cover it.

The recent discovery stems from a situation that unfolded five years ago, when an ice fisherman lost his ATV in the reservoir after it fell through the ice. While it was assumed that the ATV would be lost forever, the reservoirs status of being at 23 percent of its capacity has revealed the vehicle once again.

The owner of the ATV is now working with the US Forest Service to recover it before water levels eventually rise again.

It’s probably unlikely the ATV will ever be usable after so many years underwater, but the case goes to show just how low water levels are in Colorado amid extreme drought.

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