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. . . . 000410 White River - The White River is another slow, meandering stream which crosses the western half of the state. Its use is made up mostly of rafts and open canoes, though some innertube use is reported. It is floated by a few com- mercial rafting companies until mid-July when the volume of water becomes insufficient for boating. The Green and Yampa drainage system provides over 30 percent of the present boating use on Colorado rivers. However, of that use, 97 percent occurs within Dinosaur National Monument. This area is tremendously popular, partly because its uniqueness and monument status have attracted attention to the rivers, but primarily because the Green and the Yampa are among the few rivers in the country on which one can spend from three to five consecutive days without encountering roads, private land and the other barriers presented by civilization. These streams are scenically outstanding and carry sufficient water to support the large rafts used by the many commercial outfitters in this area. The Yampa dries up in late June, shifting the burden of the use to the Green, where water is regulated by Flaming Gorge Reservoir and there is sufficient flow for boating through September. Other than those sections of river within the national monument, Region 3 doesn't offer enough variety in boating to attract paddlers all the way to the northwest corner of the state. Some (probably slow) growth in boating can be expected due to an increase in the number of local boaters but it is not an area that needs general immediate attention. -29-