Emergency Fish Salvage at Two Buttes Reservoir Affects Local Anglers
Colorado Parks & Wildlife this week declared an emergency fish salvage at Two Buttes Reservoir after officials observed very low water levels that raise the risk of winterkill. The temporary relaxation of harvest rules allows anglers to remove additional fish, a measure with immediate implications for recreational users from Las Animas County who routinely travel Highway 160 to the reservoir.
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Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) announced an emergency fish salvage at Two Buttes Reservoir this week, citing very low water levels and the potential for winterkill. The agency has temporarily relaxed harvest rules to enable anglers to remove more fish than normally permitted, a short-term management step aimed at reducing wasteful die-offs and stabilizing the reservoir’s fish population.
Two Buttes Reservoir sits in neighboring Baca County but is a common destination for anglers from Las Animas County traveling along Highway 160. For residents and businesses in Las Animas County, the move will change the immediate recreational landscape: anglers may find altered bag limits and collection allowances, and local spending patterns for bait, fuel and food could shift as anglers respond to the salvage window. CPW advises those considering salvage fishing to check current salvage terms and to ensure they have a valid fishing license before heading to the reservoir.
The emergency action underscores broader resource-management issues affecting southeastern Colorado reservoirs. Very low water levels reduce habitat and dissolved oxygen, conditions that commonly lead to winterkill if fish are left in concentrated, oxygen-deprived water. CPW’s salvage process is intended as an emergency response to prevent large-scale mortality that can harm long-term fishery health and reduce future recreational opportunities.
For Las Animas County officials and community stakeholders, the situation highlights the interconnected nature of water and wildlife management across county lines. Anglers and local businesses that rely on regional recreation will face near-term uncertainty while CPW implements salvage operations and monitors conditions. The episode also raises policy questions about longer-term water management, drought planning and coordination between counties and state agencies to protect outdoor recreation and local economies.
Residents who fish at Two Buttes should monitor CPW announcements for the most current salvage conditions and rules. Having a valid license is required, CPW advised, and anglers must follow whatever temporary harvest relaxations and other conditions the agency establishes during the emergency period.
As CPW manages the salvage effort, the community will also need to consider civic engagement opportunities to participate in wildlife and water planning processes. Transparent communication from the agency about the salvage terms and clear channels for public input will be important for maintaining trust among anglers and local businesses that depend on the reservoir. The emergency action may be temporary, but the underlying stresses on western water supplies and fisheries will likely call for sustained attention from residents and policymakers across the region.
