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Recreation at Horsethief Canyon is managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office - Northern Division, Grand Junction, Colorado. It was acquired and developed to partially replace wildlife habitat values lost as a result of the construction of the <"http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Colorado+River+Basin+Salinity+Control+Project">Grand Valley Unit of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project.Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area has 2,080 acres of land which offers access to various trails leading to a wilderness area. The area receives about 1,500 visits per year with visitation expected to increase as the area becomes better known. The area follows the Colorado River. Because this area follows the river and its primary function is for wildlife habitat, insects can be a nuisance, especially during the spring and early summer. Insect repellent, hats, long-sleeves and pants are recommended.
Effective immediately, Reclamation will require all boats launching at Lake Berryessa to participate in a seal program to prevent the spread of invasive mussels. All vessels wishing to launch at Lake Berryessa will be inspected. A red quarantine seal will be applied for 30 days during, which the vessel will not be permitted to launch. Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may return to the lake and have the seal removed by authorized staff and will be allowed to launch. For more information on this updated protocol, please view the press release here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5031.
Take I-70 to Fruita, Colorado, then go south on Colorado Highway 340 for 4 miles, turn west at King View Estates on County Road 1.3 and drive for about 2 miles to the wildlife area boundary.