As of Tuesday, the Animas River was running noticeably low – at 35% normalcy for this time of year, according to a recent SnoFlo report.
According to U.S. Geological Survey data, the streamflow on Tuesday was at 153 cubic feet per second, and its gauge height was measured at 2.17 feet.
Last week, the flow sat around 199 cfs, with the water height resting near the 2.24-foot level, representing a small piece of a larger decline seen historically across the river’s history.
According to river flow and water level forecasting organization Blue Water Intelligence, the flow rate and height of a body of water increase and decrease in tandem, meaning that low flow rates equal low height, and vice versa – though, despite this overlap, record-breaking lows in flow may not always align with record-breaking lows in water height.
On Feb. 17, 2021, the river broke its previous Dec. 25 and 26, 2020, and March 2, 1913, record-low flows of 79.9 and 94 cfs, respectively.
The Feb. 17 low was measured at 71.4 cfs, the lowest level the river has ever seen.
Data on the Animas River is continually collected from the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as from the water gauge situated behind the Powerhouse Science Center. That specific gauge has been collecting data on the river for more than 100 years.
Durango’s river rafting market has felt some effects of the low water level. Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours has adjusted some rafting routes and reduced some offerings to accommodate the low river level, said Benji Mickel, general manager and rafting guide with the company.
One adjustment the company has made as of recently is offering one quarter-day trips, instead of its usual half-day trip for this time of year, Mickel said.
“We kind of always adjust our routes depending on the water level, right?” Mickel said. “The water level is certainly low, but that definitely doesn’t mean that guests aren't having a lot of fun out there on the river.”
Despite the low river level, Mild to Wild is expected to operate through Oct. 1, Mickel said, and the company is optimistic that half-day trip offerings will be able to be reinstated before Mild to Wild’s season is up – possibly as early as next week.
Aquatic wildlife can be impacted by low river levels, said John Livingston, spokesman with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
One effect of low water levels is an overgrowth of riverbed vegetation. Algae, in an attempt to get closer to the sun, may grow thicker and taller than usual, Livingston said.
In the Animas River, blue-green algae blooms, also called cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, are the most likely culprits of this overgrowth, he said.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, overgrowth of this type of algae has the potential to harm wildlife or people, and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
Matthew Aleksa, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, which also serves Durango, said rain can be expected through the weekend – but rainfall levels won’t be nearly enough to positively impact river height.
“While that moisture will increase the chances of showers and thunderstorms, it’s really just going to result more so in the dry variety – so, more lightning, gusty winds, rather than wetting rain,” he said. “We may see some (moisture) in the higher elevations, but it’s not going to be substantial enough to impact river flows.”
This story has been edited to reflect more accurate data on historical river lows and adjust incorrect information given to the Herald.
epond@durangoherald.com
