Here’s the release from Colorado Parks & Wildlife (Randy Hampton):
Recent heavy rains in the mountain valleys surrounding the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area and a continued release of water as part of the Voluntary Flow Management Program have boosted water flows for whitewater boating on the Arkansas River. The rains have recharged the local drainages, and good whitewater conditions should continue through at least mid-August.
“Lake County, the headwaters for the Arkansas River, has been enjoying afternoon and evening rainstorms this past month” said Rob White, AHRA park manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “That translates into very good conditions for rafting, kayaking and other types of whitewater boating all along the Arkansas River. This is good news for anglers as well, as water temperatures have remained cool providing less stressful conditions on the fishery.”
The Voluntary Flow Management Program is a cooperative effort, crafted in the 1990s for the Arkansas River by what is now Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Trout Unlimited, the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Arkansas River Outfitters Association.
Running 152 miles from the alpine highlands below Leadville to the open prairies above Pueblo, the AHRA encompasses Colorado’s widely diverse geology, topography and history. The breadth of these resources, along with six campgrounds and a number of established recreation sites along the Arkansas River, provides vast opportunities for outdoor recreation, including whitewater boating, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking and watching wildlife. Set against a spectacular vista of mountains and open country, the AHRA is one of America’s premier recreation rivers. Additional information on the AHRA is available on the park’s webpage.
The AHRA is managed through a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado State Parks. Formed in 1989, this partnership allows agencies to provide visitors with recreation opportunities and care for significant natural resources of the upper Arkansas River valley.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado’s wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information go to http://cpw.state.co.us
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