WSP08186

• File Number: 7630.285
• Description: Wild and Scenic - General
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 3/1/1977
• Author: Heather Campbell
• Title: Recreational Boating on Colorado Streams
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

.

.

.

000411

Region 4: COLORADO RIVER DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Colorado River - Over 37\ of the river use in this state takes place on the

Colorado River, which flows out of Lake Granby and traverses the state

before entering Utah. This large amount of use is primarily due to its

.
central location, scenery and ease of access. These make it a popular

river for many commercial companies as well as private and educational groups.

The river's volume is normally large which gives it a degree of re1i-

ability for commercial users (who account for nearly 70 percent of the use

on this river). Sometimes in late summer, irrigation upstream lowers the

water level enough to cause problems for boating until September when irri-

gat ion ceases and fall rains begin. The river is floatable through the

winter or as weather permits.

In the Colorado's upper reaches, northeast of Radium, the river

receives little boater use. Most use there is in open canoes, with the

exception of Gore Canyon which is a kayak run for experts only.

The stretch from Radium to Dotsero is' heavily used (35,953 user-days),

predominantly by rafters. The BLM studied this stretch in 1976, and is

presently working on a management plan for that area. For more specific

information, refer to the report arising out of that study, footnoted in

Table 5, found after Map 5, the next page.

The Colorado flows southwest from Dotsero and enters G1enwood Canyon.

All water is often diverted for a few miles by the Shoshoni Power Plant;

boater use begins only after the water returns to the riverbed. A great

deal of use occurs below the Shoshoni P1ant-- 17,000 user-days, of which

12,000 are commercial, predominantly in rafts. The stretch from Shoshoni

to G1enwood is also popular with kayakers and canoeists.

-30-