Home » Weekly Eblast

9/15/2025

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Prescribed Burn Planned in Turkey Springs

 Pagosa Ranger District: Recent rainfall on some parts of the Pagosa Ranger District has exceeded two inches, and additional moisture is expected. The district anticipates beginning with the Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire as early as September 15, pending all required approvals.

Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire: This 2,450-acre unit is located in the Turkey Springs area, 8 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs and approximately ½ mile from the Hatcher Subdivision, immediately adjacent to NFSR roads 629 (Turkey Springs), 919 (Brockover) and 923 (Newt Jack Road). During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, PLPOA, County Rd 600 between Highway 160 and Piedra River Trailhead, and Highway 160 between Timberline Ridge and downtown Pagosa Springs. No official closures are expected but there will be traffic control in the following locations during burn operations:

• NFSR 629, 919 and 923. Forest users should avoid National Forest System Trails 301, 303, 305, 313, 316, 319 and portions of 304 and 323 during burn operations.

Updated Ignition Schedule: The Pagosa Ranger District anticipates ignition start dates this coming Thursday or Friday, September 18^th or 19^th, weather permitting. Areas of smoke may affect Pagosa Lakes subdivisions, primarily the Hatcher and Highland Estates area overnight.

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2 HOLIDAY MARKETS IN THE WORKS FOR NOVEMBER:

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News from the department of Community standards.

Safe Play Guidelines on Your Property (PLPOA)

As a property owner, or as someone using your property for recreation, here are some key safety rules under PLPOA, especially regarding dangerous/hazardous equipment like bows & arrows, along with general safe‐play practices.

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Where It’s Stated in PLPOA Docs

• The Neighborhood Rules & Regulations document, updated 7/30/2022, includes provisions about “discharging firearms, shooting a bow and arrow” as examples of activities that are prohibited if unsafe or hazardous.
• In that same Rules document, “Violations that Threaten Public Safety or Health” include discharge of firearms or projectiles, including arrows, darts, etc.
  
  The NEIGHBORHOOD RULES and Regulations Can be found at: Governing Documents | Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association

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General Safe-Play Rules

To ensure fun and safety, please follow these guidelines:

Use proper targets (such as archery targets), placed so arrows cannot continue beyond them, and pick up arrows promptly.

Know Your Surroundings Before Using a Bow & Arrow

Only shoot arrows when you have full control of the area — that includes having a safe backstop (something that will stop or absorb arrows without letting them escape), no people, animals, or occupied buildings in the line of fire or just past the target.

Check behind, beside, and above the target. Arrows can deflect or pass through.

Never Discharge Dangerous Projectiles in Unsafe Conditions

Do not shoot arrows toward neighbors’ property, roads, trails, or any place where people might be.

Do not shoot arrows upward into the air — you cannot predict where they will land.

Use Proper Equipment and Maintain It Safely

Make sure your bow and arrows are in good repair — inspect for damage (cracks, splinters, frayed strings, etc.).

Use protective gear as appropriate (arm guards, finger protection).

Store bows and arrows safely when not in use (arrows in quivers, bows secured).

Supervision & Responsible Behavior

If children are present or using the bow & arrow, they should be supervised by a responsible adult experienced with the equipment.

Always maintain control of the shooting session. Only one person should shoot at a time, and everyone else should be clearly out of the line of fire.

Do not shoot under influence of alcohol or impairing substances.

Respect PLPOA Rules & Avoid Nuisance / Safety Threats

Any activity that may endanger someone else’s person or property is prohibited under PLPOA rules. This includes the use of bow & arrows in unsafe or non‐controlled environments.

If such an activity occurs, it may be considered a Violation That Threatens Public Safety or Health, which carries stricter enforcement, shorter cure periods, and higher fines.

The NEIGHBORHOOD RULES and Regulations Can be found at: Governing Documents | Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association

Communication & Notification

If you’re going to use a bow & arrow (even on your own lot), it’s good practice to let neighbors know, ensure no one is going to wander into the area.

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September Lakes Report and Lake Pagosa Drawdown Update

Some recent rains and cooler temperatures have helped with overall water quality in the lakes; water temperatures are coming down to the low 60’s currently and fishing activity has picked up. Anglers are reporting good success on trout which are very active in the mornings and evenings feeding on top water insects. The bass are still active as well and hitting on crank baits during the warm part of the day; perch and crappie activity is also being reported as good. We are planning on a fall stocking at the end of the month and will be bringing in around 5000 pounds of 12-16 inch rainbow trout. We may not be able to stock Lake Pagosa in the current drawdown but will plan to stock Hatcher Lake, Village Lake and Lake Forest.  Fall is usually one of the best times of the year to get out and enjoy some amazing fishing and boating opportunities on the lakes.

Lake Pagosa has been drawn down to a level of just over 6 feet below spill elevation. The dam outlet gate valve was closed on Friday, September 12^th and it is anticipated that no further drawdown will be necessary to complete the sewer lift station repair work being done by the PAWSD. It is planned that the work should be completed in about 3 weeks, or around the first week of October, at which point water can be released from Stevens Lake and a slow re-fill off the lake can begin. Hopefully by November the lake will be up several feet from its current level.

 Hatcher Lake is down about 4.5 feet due to heavy water demand in the community and an exceptionally dry summer. Boat launching is only possible on the east boat ramp currently (Piedra Road access). It is anticipated that some water from the Dutton pipeline diversion will be available this fall, and the lake may recharge to some degree heading into the holidays.

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Change to Monthly Board Meeting Schedule

Beginning in August 2025, PLPOA Monthly Board Meetings will now be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.

The new schedule is as follows:

PLPOA Monthly Board Meetings
🗓 Every 2nd Tuesday of the month
🕕 6:00 PM – Open Board Meeting
🕠 5:30 PM – Executive Session (preceding the public meeting)
📍 Vista Conference Room, 230 Port Ave

Next Meeting:
📅 Tuesday, Oct 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM

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COMING IN OCTOBER – New look to our weekly news eblasts:

Starting next week, registration will open for upcoming features.
We’re excited to begin gathering content for the very first issue, and your participation will make it shine!

📸 Start thinking now about what you’d like to share — and don’t forget to take photos!

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Greenbelt Thinning Operations Update – 9/3/2025

Association contractors are finishing up greenbelt wildfire fuel reduction work this summer on a couple of tracts in the Lake Pagosa Park neighborhood. One tract that recently was completed near the intersection of Aspenglow Blvd and Nocturn Dr. Just to the west of this intersection through a shallow ditch another stash of free firewood is located underneath the trees.

This spring and summer over 115 acres of greenbelt properties were mitigated by contractors under a cost share grant through Wildfire Adapted Partnership and it was good timing; drought conditions existed much of the summer and the nearby Oak Fire made for a few very anxious days. A significant number of owners in the Trails, Vista, Lake Forest and Twincreek neighborhoods were under pre-evacuation notice status for at least one full day. Improving the forest health and reducing wildfire fuels in these greenbelts has been a priority of the Association since the greenbelts were acquired officially from Wyndham around 5 years ago.

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REC CENTER PROGRAMS PAGE:

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