McPhee Reservoir managers are predicting a whitewater boating release on the Dolores River in time for Memorial Day weekend.

The reservoir is rising more than a foot per day, and irrigation diversion demand remains low, according to the Dolores Water Conservancy District.

So far, snowpack below 9,000 feet has generated most of the runoff into the reservoir. Now, upper-elevation snowpack is beginning to release into the Dolores River and McPhee.

Recent storms have added to the snowpack and slowed the runoff. Sunny days over the weekend restarted the high-elevation melt, but it is expected to slow again with more storms and cooler temperatures arriving this week. Next week, sunny, warm weather is expected to return and expedite melting.

“What all this means is McPhee should be close to full the week before Memorial Day, which likely will start the 2019 managed release,” said engineer Ken Curtis with the water district.

For planning purposes, the length of the whitewater release is expected to last three to four weeks. Although the start date may vary, the first half of the estimated spill length is more certain than the second half, Curtis said.