Raft guides and their guests have been enjoying the high river levels in the Arkansas River this week. Those conditions may stay about the same throughout Father’s Day weekend. Tom Waters, Park Manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, and Bob Hamel, Executive Director of the Arkansas River Outfitter Association, said without a crystal ball, there are too many variables to predict whether the Royal Gorge stretch of the river has reached its peak.
“It is dependant upon weather conditions,” Waters said. “That can be cold conditions, that could be warm conditions, that could be rain, that can be thunderstorms – it’s really variable dependant upon what’s happening with the weather.” Based on the current snowpack, however, and where the levels are, similar levels could be expected throughout the weekend, Waters said, adding again that it could slightly increase or decrease.
“I would say that generally speaking, historically peak does occur near this time of June,” Waters said. Hamel said this year’s snowpack and runoff is similar to 2015. The highest recording for this season so far was Monday when the gauge at Parkdale read 5,530 cubic feet per second.
Gauge readings each day reflected 5,280 cfs on Tuesday; 5,190 cfs on Wednesday; 5,030 cfs on Thursday; and 4,740 on Friday afternoon. While Monday’s reading was pretty high, Hamel said it has reached 6,000 cfs before. While the fast-moving water makes for exciting rafting, those who enjoy a slower.
