[deepsouthpaddler]

Got a call from Denver water today. Bailey Fest release is canceled. The combo of sept flood filling reservoirs (never happened before), a huge snow pack, a cool,wet summer and the monsoon rains has all come together such that front range reservoirs are full and spilling, there is no call on the south platte river and Denver water can't bring over the flows for bailey Fest. This is a very rare weather series, but it happened this year. Because of no water, I am canceling the entire event.

Oh well, at least Gore has water, so that's where I'll be bailey Fest weekend. See you next year at bailey Fest. Sorry, wish it wasn't so but it's out of my control.

 

[gannon_w]

Dang!

 

[Nathan]

Thanks for all the effort you put into Baileyfest. I'll be there next year.

 

[Skillkilla]

tragic. Was looking forward to it.

 

[spthomson]

Maybe DW can get the releases into Elevenmile up into the 400 area instead, then?

 

[tango]

Dammit. It would be nice if the release from Cheeseman reservoir into the main South Platte could be cut in order to allow a Roberts Tunnel release. They both flow into Strontia Springs (Waterton) below the confluence.

Nevermind, just looked and realized cheeseman is at full capacity, around 79,000 acre-ft. They have to send what's coming into the res into the south platte. Shit.


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[-k-]

Say it ain't so man, say it ain't so.

http://youtu.be/ee925OTFBCA



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[BrianK]

Sad.

So does this mean we won't see any boatable releases out of Roberts this year, or just that they can't plan on a release?

Thanks for all the work you do with Denver Water.

 

[Captain]

Sorry Ian, I cannot even imagine how much work you put into the event, next year will be great. Thanks for all your efforts.

So... does this mean there will be twice as much beer for next year's Bailey Fest?

 

[smauk2]

Ironic that too much water would cancel Bailey Fest. I'm sorry to hear this Ian, looking forward to next year.

 

[cmack]

Ian... I just wanted to say thanks for all the effort you put into this fest every year. I hadn't missed one yet and wasnt planning on missing this year either. This is one of the things I look forward to most all paddling season.

Bummer.

 

[nemi west]

Ironic that too much water would cancel Bailey Fest. I'm sorry to hear this Ian, looking forward to next year.

This makes it clear to me that Denver Water still is not fully cooperating with the paddling community They do not see the value in whitewater.
A few hundred more CFS for 16xtra hours will cause no harm.
Lake Dillion is full..... It won't draw down its level. There is no flooding downstream to contend with.

But yes....... I do thankyou for your work with DW and look forward to an even better relationship. I remember when I moved here....... No communication took place. I did also catch Bailey at 800! Much to Pats surprise..... No swims.
P.S. When I do paddle Bailey I do so with silent protest over my water being stolen and pumped east.

 

[craven_morhead]

Awww, sad to hear it Ian. Thanks again for all of your hard work.

 

[Joel_G]

Damn! This was going to be my first, and I was really stoked. Thanks for all of your hard work Ian. Sorry it didn't work out. Catch you next year.

 

[steven]

thx Ian. Do they understand the planning that went into this based on their commitment to move the water, and that this is pretty last minute for them to back out? surely 2 days of minimum flows would not have messed up their entire system/plan? Sounds like they are not as cooperative/helpful as we had thought, but i'm just venting, and you know the real deal. Thanks again for your efforts, big telluride crew now bummed. looks like gore….

 

[steven]

anyone we can call at denver water to voice our opinion, or would that do more harm than good?

 

[streetdoctor]

Damn! This was going to be my first, and I was really stoked. Thanks for all of your hard work Ian. Sorry it didn't work out. Catch you next year.

+1

Sorry this happened. It has to really suck with all the work you put in.

 

[jmack]

Sorry it did not work out this year.

For folks with the inclination to be upset with Denver Water, don't be. They are not providing water because they can't. Denver Water is not an all powerful government agency that gets to move water around as they please. They are just an appropriator (albeit a large appropriator) that has to follow the rules of the prior appropriation system. They have a water right on the west slope for municipal use in the front range. If they can't put the water to that use, they can't bring it over.

Denver Water never promised water for this event. They just told Ian that they would move their municipal water in a way that works for Bailey if they could. Ian has done a great job creating a good relationship with them, so let's not mess it up by making complaints about something they cannot change.

Anyway, see you all at the Gore Race.

 

[Ka-Pow]

Noooo! I've been training so hard to be ready for BaileyFest. Hardly spilling a single drop from my booty beers. I was ready!

 

[Nathan]

anyone we can call at denver water to voice our opinion, or would that do more harm than good?

I really think this would be counter productive and will do harm. I would advise against making complaints to Denver Water. Don't risk future relationships because the weather didn't work out for kayaking this year. Water is a complex thing and props to Ian for leveraging it for us to get some cheap thrills/drink beer/race foamies in August.