Denver-area kayakers who flock to the world-class rapids of Clear Creek Canyon this time of year are being shut out because of a massive project to put in fiber-optic cable for wireless coverage through the canyon.

Installation has started, but the problems for kayakers really begin late Sunday when the Colorado Department of Transportation closes U.S. 6 between Golden and Colorado 119 through the work week until June 29.

The closure starts at 11 p.m. every Sunday and extends through every Friday at 10 a.m. That leaves the road open much of Friday, all day Saturday and much of Sunday.

CDOT also will keep U.S. 6 open from 10 a.m. May 24 until 8 a.m. May 29 for Memorial Day weekend.

Kayakers are miffed because they won’t be able to get to the water at Clear Creek during the week at a time when ideal conditions will quickly vanish. That’s because there is less mountain snow than in recent years and it is melting quickly during an unusually warm season.

“It’s definitely cutting off the bulk of the paddling season,” said John Kahn, owner of Confluence Kayaks in Denver.

Last year, the South Platte River was running strong well into July, Kahn said. But this spring, prime kayaking could disappear in just a few weeks.

Learn why this problem isn’t changing rafting companies’ schedules and how kayakers can still catch this stretch of white water – with some effort.