Blue
03. Green Mountain Reservoir to Spring Creek Road(Lower Blue)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 49 fpm |
| Gauge | Blue River Below Green Mountain Reservoir, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 63 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 25, 2023 |
River Description
The Lower Blue is dam affected. The rapids are all Class III pool drop or boulder piles. Most of the rapids are fairly short but a few can be long and are unpleasant to swim. The last drop after leaving the shadow of Green Mountain is a stair stepping flume on the left with a small hole. This is a gentle whitewater run for most Colorado boaters. Shuttle is easy. Put in at the base of the dam on 30 RD off Hwy 9 and drive back out to HWY 9 go left then take the next left and park where the river and road meet. A rope is recommended to lower boats down the hill for the normal put in.
The run breaks down into some wave trains with various spots to play. The largest is called the Canyon Wall rapid which is shortly followed up by two small diversion dams. At low flows it is recommended to portage the dams unless you don't like your boat. They are easy to scout with large pools on either side but a river right portage is best. Around normal flows they can be a fun rapid with surf waves at times. Make sure not to miss the takeout at the bridge.
River Features
Put In
Canyon Wall Rapid
Largest waves on the run. Stay middle to middle right and away from the wall on the left. Potential for undercuts on the wall but easy to avoid.
1st dam
2nd dam
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI've run this canyon a dozen times both in whitewater rafts and fishing frames. I've seen flipped and pinned boats even near the 550cfs range, requiring tresspassing on BVR(below spring creek). Now there are cellular trail cams lining the river below Spring Creek take out so I wouldn't dare run below 500cfs in a fishing frame(ranch managers have sherrif's office/game wardens on speed dial). 300 CFS being listed as 'low runable' is very misleading for 75% of the watercraft that are going down this stretch(fishing frame). Please study the public private boundaries post land swap(not accurate on OnX) before you run this float as every landowner WILL and DOES prosecute tresspass and don't care if you've got old maps.
April HIllman getting some surf action on the Lower Blue
clear, cold water and beautiful scenery on the Lower Blue
as you approach the take out you will start to see houses on river right and cows on river left
after roping boats down to the put in
the first of two fishing weirs on this stretch. when in doubt, scout it out!
Lower Blue Run In September 2011