BUENA VISTA, Colo.,
June 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Spring runoff is winding down, but flows should remain good
for whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River in Colorado thanks to the Voluntary Flow
Management Program (VFMP), which will schedule recreational
releases from July 1 – August 15, 2018.
This unique agreement is a real difference-maker for late-summer
vacationers to Central Colorado,
according to Bob Hamel, executive
director of the Arkansas Rivers Outfitters Association (AROA),
"Being able to say you have a product when others don't is a big
draw to the area," said Hamel.
The VFMP is a collaboration between the water owners and the
recreational community, designed to use imported water to maintain
river levels.
"The voluntary part is very important because water owners are
not under any mandate to augment the water flow," Hamel said. "They
agree to help because they recognize the economic importance."
Under the program, a flow of 700 cubic feet per second (CFS) is
targeted through mid-August, ensuring rafters and kayakers can ride
those wild rapids all summer. Year-round, the VFMP helps maintain
flows to help support the trout fishing industry.
"Thanks to the VFMP, the Arkansas River should have good flows
for the rest of the tourist season," said Travis Hochard, vice president of AROA. "This is
a game changer for our industry."
Some years the Arkansas River doesn't need water augmentation
because snowmelt is sufficient. When it is needed, however, water
is released from area reservoirs.
Groups involved include the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
(AHRA), the Bureau of Reclamation, the Southeastern Colorado Water
Conservancy District (SECWD) and the Pueblo Board of Water Works.
It was originally initiated by the Arkansas Rivers Outfitters
Association (AROA) and Trout Unlimited.
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SOURCE Arkansas River Outfitters Association