Warm temperatures in the San Juan Mountains accelerated spring runoff this week, leading to raging waterways across Southwest Colorado, including the Animas River, which was flowing at nearly 7,000 cubic feet per second Thursday – a boon for rafting companies hurt by last year’s drought.
Water flow in the Animas River is expected to increase throughout the week and may reach peak flows Saturday morning at around 7,500 cfs, said Megan Stackhouse with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction. Meteorologists issued a flood advisory for the Animas River around noon Thursday, warning of “minor lowland flooding” and possible impacts to recreation trails along the river. Flood advisories have also been issued for the Los Pinos, La Plata and Dolores rivers.
Stackhouse said residents should use caution in or around the river, either by wearing proper safety gear for river riders or watching for unstable ground for river walkers.
“It’s definitely going to be running fast and cold,” Stackhouse said.
But the cold, fast-moving water hasn’t deterred tourists looking for a thrill on the Animas River, said Erik Jorgensen, owner of Flexible Flyers Rafting. This year is “polar opposite” from last, Jorgensen said – the river that had below-average flows last year is testing the banks this year. Reservations have been steady, he said.
When Jorgensen told potential customers last year that the river was low, many decided not to come, he said. Now, Jorgensen has to tell people who call that they won’t be doing the rapids because the river is too high, but people don’t seem to mind, he said.
Flexible Flyers Rafting quit running tours through Durango Whitewater Park when the river hit 3,000 cfs, he said. Jorgensen runs family-oriented trips, and most families are looking for Class 2 and 3 rapids, not Class 4 and 5, he said.
“When they see what the rapids are and that we’re going around them, they’re usually pretty happy,” Jorgensen said.
He’s been through this year’s rapids with some of his guides and it’s fun, but most are strong and know how to navigate the most dangerous rapids, Jorgensen said.
“It’s really pushy, it’s really big; can’t afford to make any mistakes,” he said. “It’s fun if you know what you’re doing.”
bhauff@durangoherald.com
