POSTED BY KEN CURTIS ON JUNE 10, 2017

Saturday June 10, 2017:  Steady as she goes.  McPhee inflows are down just slightly from yesterday so downstream releases are holding at 1,800 CFS for now.   Rafting releases will eventually drop gradually, but we’ll have boatable 800 CFS releases through Tuesday June 13, possibly into Wednesday.  The forecast cooler weather hits on Monday, so near term releases will remain between  1,800 CFS down to 1,600 CFS then dropping a little more on Monday. 

Dropping downstream releases will re-start when the upper Dolores starts dropping again.  We continue to make daily adjustments to downstream releases.  To meet both diversions and rafting flows requires daily average inflows of approximately 1,700 CFS, expected around Wednesday June 14.

 Help Guide the Future

As you finish your raft trip, please take some time to complete the American Whitewater survey at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AW_2017Dolores

The survey responses will inform and help shape future managed release planning efforts.

WE WILL CONTINUE DAILY UPDATES TO CONFIRM THE FORECAST AND EXTEND BOATING DAYS AS THEY BECOME APPARENT.  WHEN THE INFLOWS BASICALLY EQUAL OUTFLOWS WE WILL START THE RAMP DOWN (1,700 CFS INFLOW DAILY AVERAGE).  RAMP DOWN BELOW 800 CFS WILL EXTEND OVER 6 DAYS (DAILY AVG. RELEASES OF 700 CFS, 600 CFS, 500 CFS, 400 CFS, 300 CFS, 200 CFS) ALLOWING THOSE ON THE WATER SOME TIME TO LAND.

 Current Notices:

Call 970-882-2164 Extension 5, 1 or 6 if you have questions.

SLICKROCK:  Continue to monitor DRBA for latest on Slickrock. Slickrock put-in/take-out access will happen on private property downstream of Hwy 141 bridge (bridge crosses Dolores River) about 200 yards past bridge on river left.  Look for small flagging in bushes on left.  DO NOT use the old boat ramp on river right upstream of bridge.  That is private property and is not accessible this season.  Additional info about Slickrock access and other information here from Dolores River Boating Advocates:  www.doloresriverboating.org

BEDROCK BRIDGE:  CDOT updates at https://www.codot.gov/news/2017-news/march/caution-to-boaters-near-co-90-bedrock-bridge-low-bridge-in-place-through-april-8-intermittent-river-closures-begin-mid-april .

American Whitewater also provides good information about this year’s rafting opportunities and details for boaters at http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/385/.

DOVE CREEK PUMPHOUSE ROAD:  Please be careful of heavy traffic in and out of the Dove Creek Pumps launch site.  The road narrows and trucks with trailers cannot pass each other at certain points.  Consideration of others and patience are appreciated here.

Dolores Gage:    https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09166500

McPhee Elevation & Capacity:  http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/data/detail_tabular.aspx?ID=MCPRESCO&MTYPE=ELEV

Dolores below McPhee:  http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/data/detail_graph.aspx?ID=DOLBMCCO&MTYPE=DISCHRG

Slickrock Gage:  https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09168730

Bedrock Gage:          http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09171100