POSTED BY KEN CURTIS ON JUNE 16, 2017

Friday June 16, 2017:  Releases below McPhee started ramping down yesterday and are at 600 CFS through tomorrow morning.  Saturday morning the releases will ramp down to 400 CFS by Sunday morning, then hold for 24 hours.  The cycle repeats down to 200 CFS and then to the final 78 CFS release rate.  CPW will then budget the fish pool and final summer release rates will be posted later this month.

The forecast shows increasing temperatures and may increase runoff into McPhee.  We don’t anticipate changes to the current schedules, but will monitor and adjust releases to keep elevations at appropriate levels.  If something changes we will post, but otherwise will cease regular updates.

As usual, the USGS Dolores River Gage at Dolores remains the best representation of inflows into McPhee (see the links below).

Those interested in utilizing the river during the ramp-down can check the Dolores River Below McPhee Gage for flows directly beneath the dam (link below).

 Help Guide the Future

The survey remains open for awhile to provide feedback on your boating experience.  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.

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

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/.

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