Colorado white water rafting report June 17, 2011

Buena Vista, Colorado Arkansas river rafting report

Buena Vista, Colorado white water rafting flows for the Arkansas River

Numbers Rafting trips: 3,340 Cubic feet per second (Must be less than 2,400 CFS to raft commercially )
Family Float Rafting trips: 3,340 Cubic feet per second
Browns Canyon Rafting trips:

3,340 Cubic feet per second

Canon City, Colorado Arkansas river rafting report

Canon City, Colorado white water rafting flows for the Arkansas River

Royal Gorge Rafting trips: 3,600 Cubic feet per second

• (Must be less than 3,200 CFS to raft commercially )

Bighorn Sheep Canyon Rafting trips

• : 3,600 Cubic feet per second

Colorado white water rafting on the Arkansas River in June 17, 2011

The white water on the Upper Arkansas River has been as good as it gets this June, making the 2011 river rafting season one to remember…and we’re just getting started. Arkansas River flows through Browns Canyon (class III-IV) have been hovering just above 3000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for more than a week – providing big waves and giant splashes. If you want to experience what white water rafting is all about – YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THE HIGH WATER.

As of this date, June 17, 2011, all of the advanced sections of the Arkansas River are closed – this includes Pine Creek (class V), Numbers (class IV-V), and Royal Gorge (class IV-V) white water rafting trips, but there is plenty of exciting white water found on the class III-IV sections of the Arkansas River. We expect moderately high and above average river flows to continue through June and into July as there is an abundance of snow in the high mountains of Colorado above the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.

Current age restrictions for white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River

As of this date, June 17, 2011, current age minimums for River Runners white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River are as follows:

Family Float

• (class I-II): Minimum age is 4

Browns Canyon

• (class III-IV): Minimum age is 8

Narrows/Browns Canyon Marathon

• (26 miles of class III-IV): Minimum age is 14

Bighorn Sheep Canyon including Three Rocks

• (class III-IV): Minimum age is 14

Bighorn Sheep Canyon – Lone Pine Launch

(class III-IV): Minimum age is 8

Although it is appropriate for children and people with some physical disabilities to go white water rafting on the Arkansas River in June, it is important that you know your limits and discuss age and/or physical limitations with a River Runners white water professional.

What to wear on your Colorado white water rafting trip on the Arkansas River in June

Air temperatures in Buena Vista, Salida and Canon City, Colorado have been in the mid-80s to mid-90s, but water temperatures on the Arkansas River are between 48 and 54 degrees (f), depending on whether you are rafting on the upper or lower sections. Splash tops, wetsuits and booties are highly recommended and available for rent at any Colorado white water rafting company – including River Runners. Cotton is not an appropriate layer for white water rafting, but fleece, neoprene, wool and polypro are recommended. These items can be stowed in your guide’s dry bag on full days, as air temperatures can go from hot to cool over the course of the day if afternoon clouds roll in over the mountains.

River Runners – The White water Professionals

Our white water rafting guides have been on the Arkansas River every day this year since May 1, and our trainees have logged more than 125 hours and more than 450 miles on the Arkansas River since May 23 (more than double the requirements of Colorado State Parks). Some of our senior guides have been rafting for more than 20 years and many more have guided for at least 10 years, so you can expect experience on every River Runners Colorado white water rafting trip.
We look forward to taking you rafting.

Posted June 17, 2011 by Travis Hochard, Operations Manager/Head Boatman, River Runners