Upper Arkansas River Basin Snowpack: April 2025

The Upper Arkansas River Basin snowpack is 100 percent of the median for this time of year, according to the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. Additionally, Open Snow has forecast about 10 inches of snow for the Arkansas River Headwaters over the next five days (as of April 3), and it is snowing as this post is being written.

There is also the full allotment of 10,000 acre-feet of water projected for the Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFMP), which augments flows for recreation on the Arkansas River between July 1 and August 15. Given the current snowpack and availability of project water, we anticipate awesome whitewater rafting conditions this summer.

The overall snowpack in the Arkansas River Basin is at 60%, while median precipitation is at 91%. While these figures don’t directly affect whitewater rafting conditions, they are crucial for farmers and ranchers in eastern Colorado.

20% Off Spring Sale

The Spring Sale ends today, April 3, 2025. Use promo code SPRING at checkout. Trips depart daily May 3 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.