One of the finest bodies of water for skiing or boating is only minutes from Delta at Gunnison Bend Reservoir. The public park features a boat dock, shady picnic tables, a covered pavilion and restrooms. The reservoir is open to the public beginning Memorial Day weekend and closing Labor Day weekend.
A peninsula of land jutting into the lake prevents large waves from forming, and the shallowness of the lake keeps the water warm, making it ideal for all water sports. Fishing is also a popular activity, with bass and the occasional catfish being caught. Several types of migrating waterfowl use the reservoir as a resting spot, including duck, egrets, cranes and geese.
Lesser Snow Geese flock to the lake as they migrate from the Imperial Valley of southern California and northern Mexico, which began in early February. They arrive at Gunnison Bend Reservoir about mid- February, and most of the birds have left by mid-March. Their next stop is in Idaho or Montana, arriving at their Arctic Circle nesting grounds in late May.
A not-to-be-missed event at Gunnison Bend Reservoir is the annual Snow Goose Festival, taking place the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March.
Entrance to the park is free of charge. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. No overnight camping or parking is allowed. To get to the park, go west on Delta’s Main Street, cross the overpass, and take the road to Sutherland. Turn left at 3000 West and travel two miles south. The park is open from Memorial Day to Labor day.