Strange Discovery: 1,000 Dog Toys Found in Colorado Reservoir

Does anyone else have a dog that has more toys than a child? Our German Shepherd does, and he loves every single one of them. There are a handful of favorites he has, mainly tennis balls, and his big black rubber ball, but he loves playing with all of his toys.

READ MORE: Colorado Dog Laws Every Pet Owner Should Know

Seriously, I think our 10-month-old pup has easily three dozen toys. I can only imagine the heartbreak and distress he would be under if he watched his favorite toy vanish off a cliff or into a lake.

A Colorado Reservoir Closed for a Strange Reason

One lake in Colorado has been shut down, partially due to dog toys. Weird, right? Well, not so much if you consider that nearly 1,000 dog toys were found at the bottom of a reservoir in Colorado Springs.

Get our free mobile app

According to 9 News, Colorado Springs Utilities shut down the South Suburban Reservoir, which has been a place where dog owners take their dogs to play. The reservoir will be closed to the public indefinitely due to concerns about water quality.

Water Quality Concerns in Colorado Springs

In April 2024, the reservoir was drained for repairs. Officials have been concerned with ongoing levels of contaminants for years, including E. Coli and toxic algae, linked to animal waste and prolonged water contact. Colorado Springs Utilities has decided not to reopen South Suburban Reservoir to the public when it is refilled in the spring of 2026.

The Discovery of Nearly 1,000 Dog Toys

During the cleanup of the South Suburban Reservoir in 2020, when the reservoir was drained for maintenance of the dam and in 2024 for repairs to the dam outlet, crews pulled out nearly 1,000 dog toys from the reservoir basin.

Of course, that is a major problem, considering the South Suburban Reservoir stores untreated drinking water for the city of Colorado Springs before it is processed and used by customers. Thankfully, these contaminants can be removed during the water treatment process.

READ MORE: Staying Safe Around Colorado’s Wildlife Areas

Stratton Open Space, the area surrounding the South Suburban Reservoir, will remain open and usable for pet owners and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, but for now, the reservoir that claimed nearly 1,000 dog toys will be off-limits for swimming, wading, and dog activity.