Laserfiche WebLink
Animas River, Colorado <br />Animas River is a Class 1 -II stream that is fun, but not <br />particularly technical or difficult, especially for boaters <br />with intermediate or higher level whitewater skills. <br />Multiple access points and US Highway 550 in very <br />close proximity to the river allow paddlers to opt for <br />trips of varying lengths and difficulty to fit their needs. <br />Durango retains much of its ambience left over from <br />the days of the "Old West ". This is truly a great <br />Colorado paddling destination when it is running. <br />LOCATI O <br />La Plata County, Colorado, in the San Juan Mountains <br />between Baker's Bridge and the Colorado -New Mexico <br />state line near Durango. Nearby streams include the <br />San Juan, Dolores, Rio Grande, Rio Chama and <br />Gunnison Rivers. The river runs through the San Juan <br />National Forest. <br />LD I STA N CE F R 0 M MAI OR Cl TI <br />Durango 0.0 miles; Grand Junction 170 miles; Denver <br />339 miles; Santa Fe 212 miles; Albuquerque 212 miles; <br />Phoenix 454 miles; Oklahoma City 750 miles; Tulsa 855 <br />miles; Dallas 864 miles; Austin 1,054 miles; San <br />Antonio 1,134 miles; Houston 1,110 miles (all <br />distances are approximate and depend upon starting <br />point, destination point on the river and route taken.) <br />'WATER QUAL1T Y n d FLOW <br />Water quality is generally very good to excellent and <br />clear, though snow -melt cold. Minimum flows should <br />be about 1,000 cfs and maximum flows for safe <br />boating are about 4,000 cfs. Below 1,000 cfs the river <br />channel can be rocky and may require excessive <br />hiking, dragging, carrying or portages. Above 4,000 cfs <br />the river is dangerous and can be deadly regardless of <br />boat or experience. <br />PEST T1 MES TO GO <br />Generally, the optimum season is from late May <br />through August, though the season may be extended <br />or reduced according to the depth of the snow pack <br />and /or recent local rains. <br />HAZARDS T O NAV I ;TI tom= <br />The Animas River has rapids in the Class I to III range, <br />but at normal flows (1,000 - 4,000 cfs) most will not <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />The Pou re Paddler <br />A Northern Colorado Club of <br />Canoeists, Kayakers and Ra to <br />Click HERE to <br />Enter our web Site e <br />Guided Diver Trips <br />I - vinna Inatnir# inn' <br />http:// southwestpaddler .com /docs /sanjuan7.html 3/28/2007 <br />