Colorado White Water Rafting through Labor Day

Record flows on the Arkansas River in 2011 have prompted River Runners to offer daily white water rafting trips from both our Buena Vista and Canon City, Colorado locations through September 5, 2011 (Labor Day).

August White Water Rafting in Colorado

The flows are finally starting to drop as we enter August, but it has been an epic year for white water in Colorado and we expect that to continue into the fall rafting season. River Runners is scheduled to remain open through Labor Day, but if business and water levels remain consistent, we could offer trips well into September.

Current flows on the Arkansas River are 820 cfs in The Numbers; 993 cfs in Brown’s Canyon; and 1,030 cfs in Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge. These water levels are considered medium flows and still offer plenty of excitement.

Around the third week of July we were finally able to run advanced white water rafting trips through Pine Creek, The Numbers and Royal Gorge after being closed out for most of the season…and with the moderate flows Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Browns Canyon are now appropriate for families with children as young as six years old (must be in an oar boat with a senior guide).

The Arkansas River remained above 3,000 cfs for more than a month in 2011 and peaked on June 30, at 4,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the Royal Gorge. This resulted in high water advisories on all advanced sections for nearly six weeks.

We have seen higher peaks the past 10 years, but the water usually drops off significantly after two or three weeks. This year the water stayed really high for a couple of months, which closed Pine Creek, The Numbers and The Royal Gorge for a large portion of the season. We are excited to finally be running trips through these advanced white water sections again.

The 2011 Arkansas River basin snowpack melt-out date was June 30, according to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), which is 10 days later than average.

We expect flows to remain above average through August, so it is not too late to experience Colorado white water rafting in 2011.

River Runners has successfully guided 17,869 people down the Arkansas River since May 1, 2011. Raft with the most experienced white water rafting company on the Arkansas River and call a River Runners white water professional today!

 

River Runners Colorado Riverside Rafting Resort

 

Browns Canyon Riverside Rafting Resort Buena Vista, Colorado
Browns Canyon Riverside Rafting Resort Buena Vista, Colorado

We look forward to taking you rafting!

 

River Runners Team

Arkansas River white water rafting in Buena Vista, Colorado Browns Canyon Zoom flume rapid
Arkansas River white water rafting in Buena Vista, Colorado Browns Canyon Zoom flume rapid