Upper Arkansas River Basin Snowpack: March 2025

The Upper Arkansas River Basin snowpack has maintained near normal with only a few good storms and spring weather over the past month. The snow water equivalent in the high country is 106% of the median, according to the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. There is a lack of snow at lower elevations.

The average peak snowpack occurs on April 15, but spring weather will be a big factor for the runoff. Open Snow forecast about 15” of snow for the Arkansas River Headwaters over the next 10 days, which should keep things on track if that pans out. Based on the current situation, we expect near-average conditions for rafting this summer, which is still awesome whitewater.

The full Arkansas River Basin Snowpack is just 60%, but the median precipitation is 98%. These sites do not have a direct impact on whitewater rafting conditions but are important to farmers and ranchers in eastern Colorado.

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The Spring Sale ends on April 3, 2025. Use promo code SPRING at checkout. Book online today. Raft May through Labor Day. Raft the Royal Gorge or Bighorn Sheep Canyon – just one hour from Colorado Springs- or the Family Float, Browns Canyon, Numbers, or Happy Hour rafting tours in Buena Vista.