Arkansas River Outfitters Association
Colorado's Best Whitewater | The Arkansas River
Colorado's Best Whitewater | The Arkansas River
follow us: 
The following news reports are about Colorado whitewater adventure on the Upper Arkansas River in Colorado.
Two Colorado nonprofit organizations are developing projects that will bolster Buena Vista’s local economy thanks to grants from the Colorado Tourism Office.
The Arkansas River Outfitters Association and the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative were awarded donations of $25,000 and $85,000 respectively late last year that will be used to attract more visitors to both the Arkansas and Colorado peaks.
The Arkansas River is one of Buena Vista’s most lucrative recreational attractions.
The tourism that the river produces creates an influx of revenue for local businesses, stimulating the economy of the town.
In 2014 alone, the area saw an economic impact of $60,734,207 from the Arkansas River (2014 …
Read More on The Chaffee County TimesFall is one of the best times of the year to fish. The water is lower, clearer and there is less activity on the river. There is still time to book a trip with a commercial outfitters.
According to Andrew Petersen, the Colorado Angler and a member of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association, "This year's fall flows are ideal for float fishing on the Arkansas. Fish are well dispersed throughout the entire river, there continues to be strong hatches of aquatic insects, as well as excellent terrestrial insects such as grasshoppers and ants. Also during this time of year, with lower number of rafters on the river, the entire river from Buena Vista down to Texas Creek is great for anglers."
The Arkansas River …
Read More in the Daily RecordAs the Arkansas River lowers, whitewater rafting is taking off.
CANON CITY — Rafting outfitters are rolling in the deep. For most of June, the Arkansas River was raging between 4,000 and 6,200 cubic feet per second at the Parkdale gauge, so outfitters were steering clear of the Royal Gorge section above Canon City. The Numbers section above Buena Vista also was avoided due to high water advisories. When that happens, outfitters adjust trip locations along the 15.2-mile stretch of river between Granite and Canon City. Many focus on the Big Horn Sheep and Browns Canyon areas. “This is an exceptional year and the boating is out-of-this-world great,” said Dennis Wied, owner of Raft Masters in Canon City.
Download PDFWith a whole lot of smile and even more sarcasm in his voice, Will Colon said he was "mildly" excited Wednesday.
He was kidding, of course.
The Arkansas River discharge dipped below 3,200 cubic feet per second late Tuesday night and remained there Wednesday, meaning commercial rafts could guide tours down the famed Royal Gorge section of the river.
At 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, levels measured 3,180 cfs at the Parkdale location and they valleyed at 3,110 cfs at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.
"Oh, I'm mildly excited," said Colon, owner of Raft Masters. "Yeah, I'm excited. I'm stoked. I'm very happy that it's open."
The section of river was out of commission …
Read More in The Canon City Daily RecordBuena Vista – Upper Arkansas River basin snowpack is one of the highest in Colorado, and outfitters are expecting a big year on the river as a result.
After monthly precipitation records were broken at many SNOTEL sites statewide, the Upper Arkansas River Basin began June at 196 percent the median.
Signs are pointing up for a spring runoff with high water flow – and that is especially stimulating for the rafting industry in Buena Vista.
“I think it’s going to be a great year,” said Mike Kissack, head of the Arkansas River Outfitters Association. “It was a big turnaround this spring from the snowpack that we were seeing in April, so all that added moisture is going to make for …
Read More on The Mountain Mail
Colorado whitewater media requests can be made to individual members of AROA or send an inquiry to all qualified members by filling out the Media Request Form.
