Colorado rafting companies head into an ‘unprecedented’ season, with most streamflow projections half of normal

Colorado rafting companies are entering uncharted waters as a historically low snowpack and widespread drought conditions threaten to send rivers to the lowest levels the state has experienced in decades.

Streamflows are forecasted to be less than half of normal for most rivers in the state, and less than a quarter of normal for a few, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s April 1 Colorado Water Supply Outlook Report.

“This is kind of unprecedented,” Colorado River Guides owner Chelsea Worley said. “I’ve been doing this for a really long time, and I’m not really sure what it’s going to be like, but that’s part of the fun.”

Worley, who inherited the Steamboat Springs-based rafting company from her parents, has been rafting her entire life. She noted that the snowpack conditions this season are even lower than they were going into the 2002 season, which was previously the lowest water season she had ever experienced.

But the low water levels won’t stop rafting companies from making the most of the season. Colorado outfitters are expecting that while exhilarating, high-water experiences will be scarce this season, there will still be plenty of opportunities for scenic floats and even sporty, soaking fun with options like inflatable kayaks.

“Even though the rivers are going to be moving a little slower, the waves are going to be smaller and the white water component is going to be diminished, it’s still a wonderful experience, as long as the guest knows what they’re expecting going in,” Performance Tours owner Kevin Foley said.

During his more than 40 years running the rafting business, Foley said he’s seen his fair share of low-flow years but has always had an enjoyable time on the water. He noted that he began his career as a raft guide in 1981, the summer after what, until this year, held the record for the worst winter snowpack in Colorado history.

KODI Rafting owner Dave McGrath said that pre-season bookings are coming in at a normal rate for this time of year. Most of the customers booking trips don’t even know that Colorado is facing its worst snowpack on record, McGrath said. Offering rafting options across the state, he said he’s upfront with customers about the “less desirable flows” but tells them that there’s still plenty of fun options.

“Although we’re going to see some lower flows this year, all the companies are still planning on operating this year as normal and are anticipating high volumes of people that still want to recreate on the waters here in Colorado,” McGrath said.

This season, both KODI Rafting and Performance Tours plan to primarily raft on the Colorado and Arkansas rivers, both of which are dam-controlled and should offer raftable flows. 

Foley noted that the Arkansas River offers 150 miles of rafting and a cooperative management program there aims to augment flows for recreation. Still, the flow program does not expect to hit its typical summer targeted water levels this season, according to the Arkansas River Collaborative.

While both KODI Rafting and Performance Tours hold permits to raft the Blue River in Summit County, neither company expects flows to be high enough for rafting operations there this summer.

Foley noted that it’s “not uncommon” for the Blue River to not be raftable, since the flows are controlled by dam releases from the Dillon Reservoir, and during dry summers, much of the water from the reservoir is diverted across the continental divide for use on the Front Range.

Worley, whose company is permitted on the Upper Colorado River and the Eagle River, said that she doesn’t expect to raft on the Eagle River this season due to the low snowpack. But the Upper Colorado River is already running, though she said it remains to be seen whether the flows will be enough to keep that section of water raftable all season long.

“I wish I had that crystal ball,” Worley said. “I’m just not sure. I always try to stay positive and say that we can raft throughout our whole season. That’s the plan. But there’s no way for me to know for sure.

For Thunder River Adventures, a smaller rafting company permitted to operate on the Roaring Fork River, the rafting season kicked off about a month ago, several weeks earlier than usual. As record-warm temperatures fueled a rapid meltoff of the snowpack in March, owner Chris Edmond said some customers took advantage of the rising streamflows and booked an early season trip.

“I don’t think most people are looking at their vacation as a predictor of their vacation,” Edmond said. “If someone’s got their vacation booked, they’re still going to come out. There’s a lot to do around here, even with the drought conditions.”