The U.S. Forest Service has opened a new access point for boaters on the upper Dolores River.
The new put-in/take out is located off Colorado 145 at mile marker 25. Look for a green gate on the east side of the highway, about a mile past the West Fork confluence.
Improving access on the popular section of river has been a goal of the Forest Service for some time, said recreation planner Tom Rice.
"We have been looking and decided on this spot because the land there was already disturbed for an electrical right of way," he said. "It was added as a spur road for public access to the river."
The access point is a little rough, but will be improved over time. Also the main flow of the river is on the opposite bank, making the take-out a little challenging.
The new boat access is for day use only, with no camping. Forest officials remind the public to keep the gate closed.
"I suspect it will be used more for a take-out for the stretch from Bear Creek or Rico," he said.
It can be used for fishing access and day use as well, Rice said, however there is nearby private land both upstream and downstream.
Also this year, the Forest Service improved the boater put-in at the West Fork access point of the upper Dolores River.
Rip rap was removed to create a smoother ramp to the river, and road base was added.
"Eventually, we plan to create an eddy there to slow down the river and make it safer to put on the water," Rice said.
Boater Sam Carter said the new West Fork put-in is working well.
"It's a tremendous improvement and not such an ankle breaker anymore," he said. "The new ramp is more convenient for unloading rafts from trailers."
So far this season, boating on the upper Dolores has been in shallow conditions. As of Tuesday, it was running between 750 and 1,000 cubic feet per second in the day.
Carter, who is president of the Dolores River Boating Advocates, recently launched from Bear Creek. He said there were no fence hazards.
"It was bony, and we got knocked around quite a bit in our kayaks, but it was fun," he said. "The water is freezing so you definitely need a wet suit."
As the weather warms in the coming weeks, runoff from snowpack will increase flows significantly.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com