Document - Assessing Instream Flows that Support Whitewater Recreation in the San Miguel River Basin

Abstract

Streamflow, or the amount of water in a river, affects the quality, quantity, and timing of river-related recreation, such as whitewater boating. In August 2016, American Whitewater was retained by Deere & Ault Consultants to assist in describing the relationship between streamflows and whitewater recreation for the San Miguel River in Southwest Colorado. The goals of the 2016 study are to 1) define the full range of streamflows that support recreational opportunities on the lower San Miguel River, and 2) assist with the assessment of impacts to flow-related whitewater recreation on the San Miguel, attributed to consolidated water rights applications in Montrose County, Colorado. Additionally, this report adds to the dataset used both to a) define recreational attributes and values in the Southwest Basin Implementation Plan and b) supplement the dataset informing the US Bureau of Reclamation’s Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Management efforts. This report summarizes the collection and evaluation of data defining whitewater recreation flow-needs on the San Miguel River, and evaluates the predictive change in Boatable Days attributed to potential development of conditional direct flow rights in the Lower San Miguel River.

Description


Document Information

Filename - Assessing Instream Flows that Support Whitewater Recreation in the San Miguel River Basin 2529.pdf

Size - 1.28MB

Download Document
Join AW and support river stewardship nationwide!