Search continues
Carter Lake closed until further notice while authorities look for man
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Of fice continued to search Monday for a missing Loveland man at Car ter Lake southwest of Loveland after his kayak was discovered overturned about 2 p.m. Sunday.
David Moore, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said the search for the 29-year-old man was suspended around 1:20 a.m. Monday and picked back up around 8:30 a.m.
Moore said some “property” found at the lake pointed investigators to the man, but he did not release details on what the proper ty was.
Jered Kramer, another spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that the man’s vehicle was found parked at the lake and that a dog located nearby, wearing a flotation device, belonged to the same Loveland man.
“Right now, everything is pointing to this particular person,” Moore said.
On Sunday, dive teams and sonar were used to search the water, with drones and officers searching the banks and surrounding areas.
Kramer said as of Monday morning, three search boats were out on the water, operated by crews from the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Larimer County Parks and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Investigators were also using sonar Monday to search the lake, which reaches as deep as 180 feet in areas of its 3-mile width and 1,100 surface acres, according to a county brochure on the area.
Kramer said crews also have a vehicle that ser ves as an underwater remotecontrolled drone. He said if the sonar were to detect something, crews could send the vehicle down to see what it is. However, Kramer said, depth can be a problem.
“At certain points, even if they can map it, we may not be able to get divers or (equipment) down that deep,” he said.
While officials are still hopeful they might find the man not in the water and alive, they also pointed out that the depth and terrain of the lake can be difficult.
“We don’t bring this equipment out for a rescue, but you also never know if you’ll find someone, so we’re hopeful,” Kramer said.
Berthoud Fire Protection District and Sheriff’s Office crews also were on standby for any ground searches that might have been needed Monday, and Kramer said the department has several aerial drone teams available.
Kramer said the search will continue, adding, “We go on as long as there are areas to be searched.”
Carter Lake was closed Monday and is expected to remain closed as the search continues.
Korrie Johnston, spokeswoman for the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, said the department will reopen the lake “pending the results of the search” and that updates will be posted to the depar tment’s website and social media channels.
Data from the National Weather Service shows that in the Loveland area, sustained winds Sunday reached highs of 20 miles per hour with gusts of 36.
Anyone with information is asked to call 970-4161985.
Photographer Jenny Sparks contributed to this repor t.