Dolores River (Bradfield to Slickrock) @ 800 cfs

[durangoskiier]

Word down here has it that the good folks at Dolores Water Cons. District are gonna let out 800 cfs on Sat and Sun this weekend. (this was confirmed with a phone call to them today) Two questions, can you get a raft down this section at 800 cfs (14ft) and can you do it in 2 days - early a.m. sat put in late sunday take out??? Any input would be great, did it two years ago but it was at 2500 cfs then so no problems. Thanks!!

[twmartin]

Slickrock to Bedrock is scratchy at 800 for a raft, I have heard that is OK for a canoe. It is an easy canoe run even loaded w/gear. You can do it in 2 days easily in a canoe.

When I did Slickrock to Bedrock in 1998 I recall hearing that the entire river was rough on a raft below 900.

I was there in 2005 as well and would not reccomend Bradfield-Slickrock for a canoe w/gear unless you are running light or are an expert. The extended stretches of Class III can get you fiulled up w/ water and make things significantly tougher than in a raft or decked boat.

Have fun.

[cadster]

You can take out at the pump station, 19 miles downstream of Bradfield Bridge and not have to run any class III. I haven't driven the road to the pump station, but based on what I've seen parked by the river there, it cannot be bad.

[jahmon77]

Originally Posted by durangoskiier

Word down here has it that the good folks at Dolores Water Cons. District are gonna let out 800 cfs on Sat and Sun this weekend. (this was confirmed with a phone call to them today) Two questions, can you get a raft down this section at 800 cfs (14ft) and can you do it in 2 days - early a.m. sat put in late sunday take out??? Any input would be great, did it two years ago but it was at 2500 cfs then so no problems. Thanks!!

won't be able to make it, but thanks 4 the invite.....keep me posted on your trips.....have a great weekend....jah love you brokeback biatch.........

[durangoskiier]

Originally Posted by cadster

You can take out at the pump station, 19 miles downstream of Bradfield Bridge and not have to run any class III. I haven't driven the road to the pump station, but based on what I've seen parked by the river there, it cannot be bad.

But is it possible to make it to slickrock, we have the time and really want to do it??

[Dave Frank]

The site confirms sat and sun relaeases of 800 cfs. When do they open and close the valves? I'd like to catch this.

[durangoskiier]

Originally Posted by Dave Frank

The site confirms sat and sun relaeases of 800 cfs. When do they open and close the valves? I'd like to catch this.

Pretty sure they ramp it up overnight and then down to 400 cfs on Sunday night. We have decided to just do the first 19 miles to pumphouse to 'test the waters'

[rivermanryan]

Dave-

I am thinking of doing it with my kids (3 and 5), but I am still on the fence as to whether my 15'er will make it through. I wish they would go 1200 and back down to 200 during the week. Not sure if that is Reclamation or the water district's call. I have a smaller boat, but it doesn't have enough room for everyone with overnight gear.