Dolores Boater Meeting May 4th to Discuss Releases this Summer

SNOTEL sites within the Dolores River watershed have reached records and the Colorado River Basin Forecast Center is predicting a most probable scenario that would provide 515,000 acre feet (af) (202% of average) to McPhee Reservoir. The reservoir sits over 50 feet below a full pool, needing approximately 200,000 af to get there. Despite the low reservoir levels, simple math indicates there will be plenty of water to release downstream. That excess water will be released from McPhee Reservoir to provide flows for boaters, fish, and wildlife this summer. To discuss potential operations and to hear from the public, the Bureau of Reclamation, Dolores Water conservancy District, and Dolores River Boating Advocates are hosting a public meeting on May 4th at the Dolores Community Center from 6-9pm.

In years that releases from McPhee dam are possible, American Whitewater sits on a small committee that meets weekly to discuss dam operations, how to optimize downstream flow for boaters while achieving environmental goals. From these meetings we also help to create and share detailed descriptions of upcoming release schedules with the boating public. Please keep an eye out for these release announcements so you too can optimize that downstream flow!