| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 14.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Dolores River at Dolores, Co. |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 97 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 9, 2023 |
River Description
Hazard: Low wire bridge (7.25 mi): not passable to rafts above 3,000 cfs
River Features
Put In
Access PointDistance: 0 mi
Big Rock take-out/put-in
Access PointDistance: 6.2 mi
This is the usual take-out for boaters coming down from Bear Creek. There is no ramp, boats must be carried. Located on private property. No camping.
Road 36 (Stapleton) Bridge: low-clearance bridge
HazardDistance: 6.92 mi
This bridge becomes low-clearance above about 3000 cfs. It is not recommended for rafts at high flow. Rafters will need to duck, and possibly ship oars.
Cable foot bridge: low-clearance bridge
HazardDistance: 7.25 mi
Cable footbridge becomes a hazard to rafts above about 3000 cfs. The cable could catch an oar tower. Rafters will need to run far right and be prepared to duck in the bottom of the raft.
Diversion dam drop structure
RapidClass: III-Distance: 7.57 mi
River-wide drop structure (cross-vane) at a diversion, with a horizon line.
Take Out
Access PointDistance: 14.55 mi
Dolores Beach, river left, across from Joe Rowell Park in the town of Dolores. Large eddy. When McPhee Reservoir is not full, there is a class II drop just above the takeout. When McPhee Reservoir is full, the eddy and the beach are under water. No camping.
Trip Reports
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Upper Dolores high flow, low-clearance bridges - Matt Barnes
May 19, 2023
I paddled the Upper Dolores from Big Rock (the alternative put-in for this section) down to Dolores during high flow at 4400 cfs on May 19, 2023 (actual high flow occurred during the pre-dawn of May 17). At this flow the river is high and fast, runnable by kayaks but not recommended for rafts.
During the previous high-flow year, a few Montezuma County SAR personnel rafted this section at high water, about 4000 cfs, on June 8, 2019 (the peak occurred that night, June 9). At the Road 36 (Stapleton) Bridge (6.8 miles from the West Fork), and again at the cable footbridge (7.3 miles from the West Fork), we had to duck down in the raft (no sitting on the captain's seat!). At the Road 36 bridge, we also shipped the oars. These two bridges become dangerous to rafts above 3000 cfs, and I believe this is why American Whitewater lists 3000 cfs as the maximum flow for this section of the Dolores.
In May 2023, at about 4400 cfs, I set a personal speed record from Big Rock to Dolores Beach (about 8.36 miles), of 00h:47m:27s, or ~10.6 mph. Someone has probably done it faster.
TF
High Water Fun- May the fourth be with you - The Fett
May 4, 2023
Great day to packraft. Low wire bridge too low for large rafts at 4,000 CFS. Easily navigatable on left and right of center for ducky or kayak. High flow produces great features to play in. Cold, as usual, so use some discretion in clothing and gear. Was still chilly with 3mm neoprene and a few layers. 601-433-4193 if wanting to do Rico or town run with friends.