River Ratings

• Description: Durango RICD
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 12/28/2006
• Author: Colorado River Outfitters Association
• Title: River Ratings
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: News Article/Press Release

Welcome to CROA - Colorado River Outfitters Association
www.croa.org
Outfitters with access to the Arkansas are located throughout the
state, from the Colorado Springs and Buena Vista areas south of
Denver to Eagle and Summit counties, located 2 -3 hours west of
Denver and home to all- season resorts such as Breckenridge, Copper
Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek.
Colorado River
The mighty Colorado River gets its start in Rocky Mountain National
Park, then heads west across the state. The Colorado was known as
the Grand River until 1921 when a Colorado congressman passed a
bill to have it renamed. Many places in the West still bear the "Grand"
name, such as Grand Junction and Grand Lake, in Colorado, and the
Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The Upper Colorado River between the towns of Radium and Dotsero
offers scenic Class I and II+ rapids, while closer to Kremmling looms
the daunting, class V Gore Canyon, a challenge even for the daring
and experienced. Wildlife often seen along the Upper Colorado
includes deer, eagles, ducks and geese. Farther downstream is the
central section of the Colorado, which boasts the Class III and IV
Shoshone rapids. One of the more unique trips on the Colorado
departs from Grand Junction, in western Colorado, where a Ruby
Canyon and Horse Thief Canyon trip takes rafters down Class II+
rapids between Grand Junction and Westwater, Utah. The trip offers
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Staying current on Colorado's rivers
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Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is the most popular in Colorado and the nation.
L givor Ratings
The river drops 5,000 feet in its first 125 miles from its headwaters in
Cad* of Fthdes
the Colorado Rockies near the Continental Divide to the plains near
Canon City, Colo. The range of difficulty runs the gamut from scenic,
calm Class I rapids to highly technical Class IV and V rapids. The
IN* ovts*
Arkansas River is the longest tributary of the Mississippi River,
totaling 1,450 miles in length before joining the Mississippi in
Arkansas and flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of the Arkansas' claims to fame include the Class IV rated
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Numbers and the Royal Gorge. At the Gorge, the Arkansas flows
under the Royal Gorge Bridge - the world's highest suspension bridge
LORCA $��
and lauded as an.engineering marvel since its construction in 1929.
Slightly less challenging than their class IV counterparts are the class
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III -IV Browns Canyon, Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Narrows sections.
Mellower still is Upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon, which, with its class II
rapids, is well- suited for families and vacationers seeking a more
relaxed, scenic float trip.
Outfitters with access to the Arkansas are located throughout the
state, from the Colorado Springs and Buena Vista areas south of
Denver to Eagle and Summit counties, located 2 -3 hours west of
Denver and home to all- season resorts such as Breckenridge, Copper
Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek.
Colorado River
The mighty Colorado River gets its start in Rocky Mountain National
Park, then heads west across the state. The Colorado was known as
the Grand River until 1921 when a Colorado congressman passed a
bill to have it renamed. Many places in the West still bear the "Grand"
name, such as Grand Junction and Grand Lake, in Colorado, and the
Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The Upper Colorado River between the towns of Radium and Dotsero
offers scenic Class I and II+ rapids, while closer to Kremmling looms
the daunting, class V Gore Canyon, a challenge even for the daring
and experienced. Wildlife often seen along the Upper Colorado
includes deer, eagles, ducks and geese. Farther downstream is the
central section of the Colorado, which boasts the Class III and IV
Shoshone rapids. One of the more unique trips on the Colorado
departs from Grand Junction, in western Colorado, where a Ruby
Canyon and Horse Thief Canyon trip takes rafters down Class II+
rapids between Grand Junction and Westwater, Utah. The trip offers
Page 1 of 3
http: / /www.croa.org /media -2.htm 12/28/2006