How soon can I be on the water?

[frontranger]

Hello all

I'm a fresh transplant to the front range and the great state of Colorado, and I'm jonesin' to get on the water. Having come from a state where we didn't rely on snowpack to paddle, I'm not used to having to wait on runoff to get on the water. On average, when can I expect runnable flows to begin to appear?

Thanks
Frontranger

[FLOWTORCH]

Never seen this post before.....you need to ask chunderboy, he can give ya some good advice, being the proud frontranger you both are.

[gh]

If you pick your spots you can go today.

[Andy H.]

If you leave now, you can be putting in at Shoshone this morning. Just scout it to make sure there are no ice dams.

The main boating season in Colorado starts when you decide that its not too cold to boat. A maxim to bear in mind that'll greatly add to your enjoyment of your new home is "There's no such thing as too cold, just under-dressed." The rivers typically will start flowing in April and May, peak in late May/Early June, and then subside. Dam releases will keep some rivers flowing through the summer.

Take your copy of CRC2 and spend some time checking out this site

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/rt

you can plot custom hydrographs of various gauges throughout the state pretty easily. There's also a link to flow sites via this website and the AWWA site.

Go to the MB party tonight to meet folks too!

Have fun!

--Andy

[Geezer]

Yep... later April and early May starts the fun around the front range. Colorado Rivers and Creeks II is the book you need so you can find the fun you want.