RMWA Sailing Site Description: Union Reservoir

Union Reservoir
(Last Revised: 6/17/09)

Location:

East side of Longmont, 1 mile north of the intersection of County Rd 1 and Hwy 119.

Launch Site:

Southwest side of lake btwn the swim beach and the boat ramps.

Lake Size:

600 acres

Best Wind Direction:

West to NW quadrant.

General:

The key to sailing Union is to get upwind quickly. If you don't and it's planable, you'll find yourself in big waves. When the wind is coming from anywhere in the NW quadrant of the compass, the NW corner of Union is perfectly flat - it's amazing. Hence, Christy and I nicknamed it "El Coche Cove". When you have SW winds, there are 2 big problems. One is that the topography surrounding the lake tends to create a wind shadow. I've driven there countless times when it was blowing 20-35 mph out of the SW UNTIL I got within a mile of Union and then it turned off like a faucet. Drive 2 miles north and it turned back on. When I checked the PWS's surrounding the area they read 20-35mph the whole time, except for the one at the golf course. The 2nd problem in strong SW winds is that there are huge cottonwood trees upwind of the launch area. When the wind is 15+, the turbulence from the trees is really strong. It makes it very difficult to get out. This weather station is on the North end of the lake:
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCOLONGM6
Ignore the average wind speed - it's very inaccurate. The "Wind Gust" is really what seems to accurately reflect the wind speed at Union.

Most commonly used (90% of the time) equipment for me (230lbs): Madd 165, GTX 8.5

Most common equipment for Christy Grant (not telling): Techno 153, GTX 7.5

As usual in Colorado, a rangy sail is pretty useful there. When in doubt, rig your 8.5 or 7.5. Make note of the bird nesting areas on the West and North side of the lake. You are not allowed to get on dry land in those areas. However, you can stand there in the water if you need to wait out big wind.

The whole lake is a no wake zone. Try to stay away from the boat ramps and the fishing area on the southwest side.

Website: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/union.htm

Admission:

$8/day or $55 for a season pass.
$25 to add another car to the season pass.

Camping:

Nearby within the park, but not on the water.
$8/night w/season pass
$20/night without a season pass

Submitted by:

Barry Middlebrook

Comment:

These materials are © copyrighted (2009) by the Rocky Mountain Windsurfing Association, and any commercial use without written authorization is strictly prohibited. Send any comments or suggestions to Dr. Chuck Mawhinney: mawhinnc@mscd.edu.

Location:	East side of Longmont, 1 mile north of the intersection of County Rd 1 and Hwy 119.
Launch Site:	Southwest side of lake btwn the swim beach and the boat ramps.
Lake Size:	600 acres
Best Wind Direction:	West to NW quadrant.
General:	The key to sailing Union is to get upwind quickly. If you don't and it's planable, you'll find yourself in big waves. When the wind is coming from anywhere in the NW quadrant of the compass, the NW corner of Union is perfectly flat - it's amazing. Hence, Christy and I nicknamed it "El Coche Cove". When you have SW winds, there are 2 big problems. One is that the topography surrounding the lake tends to create a wind shadow. I've driven there countless times when it was blowing 20-35 mph out of the SW UNTIL I got within a mile of Union and then it turned off like a faucet. Drive 2 miles north and it turned back on. When I checked the PWS's surrounding the area they read 20-35mph the whole time, except for the one at the golf course. The 2nd problem in strong SW winds is that there are huge cottonwood trees upwind of the launch area. When the wind is 15+, the turbulence from the trees is really strong. It makes it very difficult to get out. This weather station is on the North end of the lake: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCOLONGM6 Ignore the average wind speed - it's very inaccurate. The "Wind Gust" is really what seems to accurately reflect the wind speed at Union. Most commonly used (90% of the time) equipment for me (230lbs): Madd 165, GTX 8.5 Most common equipment for Christy Grant (not telling): Techno 153, GTX 7.5 As usual in Colorado, a rangy sail is pretty useful there. When in doubt, rig your 8.5 or 7.5. Make note of the bird nesting areas on the West and North side of the lake. You are not allowed to get on dry land in those areas. However, you can stand there in the water if you need to wait out big wind. The whole lake is a no wake zone. Try to stay away from the boat ramps and the fishing area on the southwest side. Website: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/union.htm
Admission:	$8/day or $55 for a season pass. $25 to add another car to the season pass.
Camping:	Nearby within the park, but not on the water. $8/night w/season pass $20/night without a season pass
Submitted by:	Barry Middlebrook
Comment: