CPW recovers body of suspected drowning victim at Harvey Gap State Park

Rachael Gonzales
Northwest Region Public Information Officer
970-773-8587 / [email protected]
Twitter: @CPW_NW CPW recovers the body of suspected drowning victim at Harvey Gap State Park

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Just after 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Marine Evidence Recovery Team (MERT) recovered the body of an adult male from Harvey Gap Reservoir at Harvey Gap State Park, north of Rifle, Colo.

Around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, CPW officers responded to multiple in-person reports of a possible missing person at Harvey Gap Reservoir. One report came from the family of the missing individual, who indicated they had not seen their family member for over three hours. 

When officers began their search, they discovered what was determined to be the victim's paddleboard on the shore of the reservoir. Officers confirmed that the paddleboard was likely placed there intentionally, along with paddles and a personal flotation device, commonly known as a life jacket. Based on information gathered during the investigation, it is believed that the victim went for a swim in an area of the reservoir where swimming is not allowed, after paddleboarding.

CPW officers continued their search along the shoreline before launching a patrol boat equipped with sonar equipment to search the lake. Officers with the Colorado State Patrol and Garfield County Search and Rescue also assisted CPW in the search efforts. In addition to the CPW patrol boat equipped with sonar, Garfield County Search and Rescue utilized their K-9, trained to detect human scent both on land and in the water during the search.

Due to the length of time the victim was missing in the water, efforts shifted from a search-and-rescue to a recovery operation.

CPW Marine Evidence Recovery Team arrived from Littleton around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, and began to search the area using a remote operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with sonar, lights, and video. Around 6:30 a.m., members with MERT located the victim's body in an area of the reservoir where CPW officers and Garfield County Search and Rescue’s K-9 had identified a possible location earlier in the search. Using the ROV, the victim's body was recovered and brought back to the surface. 

The events leading up to the victim going underwater are unknown; however, strong wind gusts were reported in the area at the time they went missing.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy and we send our deepest sympathies to the family of this victim,” Harvey Gap State Park Manager Brian Palcer said. “We hope that this recovery will bring a little comfort to the family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one.”

The body has been turned over to the Garfield County Coroner to determine the cause of death. If confirmed as a drowning, this would bring the total to more than five reported recreation-related drownings in Colorado for 2025. 

CPW would like to thank our partners at Garfield County Search and Rescue and Colorado State Patrol for their assistance in the search.