South Suburban Reservoir, located in the Stratton Open Space of Colorado Springs, will no longer be accessible to the public or dogs once it is refilled next spring. The reservoir, which has provided untreated drinking water since 1932, has occasionally allowed public access to its western shoreline during warmer months, resulting in informal recreational activities such as off-leash dog use.
Repairs on the reservoir began in April 2024, requiring it to be drained. Once repairs are completed and natural runoff and precipitation refill the reservoir, public access will be permanently discontinued. The decision was made due to concerns over safety and water quality, particularly linked to off-leash dog recreation.
According to officials, swimming and splashing by dogs have stirred up sediment, increasing organic carbon and nutrients that promote algae growth, including toxic cyanobacteria. Additionally, pathogens like E. coli have been introduced through dog swimming. These factors have led to the reservoir being removed from use several times over the years because it does not hold enough water to dilute pollutants effectively.
During maintenance clean-outs in 2020 and 2024, nearly 1,000 dog toys were found in the reservoir basin. With growing concerns about PFAS and microplastics in the environment, officials noted that an accumulation of dog toys in a drinking water reservoir presents additional risks.
The reservoir has never had formally approved recreational use by City Council; access was allowed at the discretion of water officials. “We know that South Suburban Reservoir has become a favorite destination for many people over the years. While public access has been allowed at our discretion, recreational use has never been formally approved by City Council. We must now take responsible and appropriate steps to protect this valuable water resource for our customers,” officials stated.
Officials encourage visitors to continue enjoying the trails and scenery of Stratton Open Space while understanding the need to protect drinking water resources.
