Roaring Fork Conservancy

08/09/2026

Last day - come and view the artwork created by 20 artists, capturing the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley!

We'll be at Snowmass Base Village from 10am-4pm today.

Find out more, including who all the fabulous artists are, at https://www.gosnowmass.com/event/plein-air-art-festival/

08/08/2026

If you are looking for something to do today, why not stop by The Snowmass Plein Air Festival and view the beautiful art created by 20 artists ((including locally-based Amy Beidleman, Doug Graybeal, Nika Meyers and Jamie Wall).

You may even purchase a painting or two - some of those proceeds will benefit Roaring Fork Conservancy!

We look forward to seeing you today AND tomorrow!

Learn more at https://www.gosnowmass.com/event/plein-air-art-festival/

08/07/2026

Ruedi Reservoir releases will increase 100 cfs on Sunday, August 9th, and then an additional 100 cfs on Monday, August 10th, bringing flows on the lower Fryingpan River to 514 cfs. Flows at this level will make wading and other river recreation more hazardous in the Fryingpan.

These release increases are being made to fulfill senior water rights in the drought-stricken Grand Valley.

https://aspenjournalism.org/fryingpan-river-to-see-high-flows-as-ruedi-releases-increase/

08/06/2026

💦 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 💦

With the grip of hot, dry, and windy conditions continuing in the Roaring Fork Watershed, local rivers are flowing at historically low levels. The Roaring Fork River in Aspen, Fryingpan River at Meredith, and Crystal River at Redstone are each experiencing all-time low flows for this date! The Crystal River at the fish hatchery upstream of Carbondale is currently flowing 5 cfs, which is just 3% of normal for this date! Overall, stream flows in the watershed are far below average at 3-48% of normal. Conversely, flows in the lower Fryingpan River were boosted earlier this week when Ruedi Reservoir releases increased 70 cfs, bringing flows to 215 cfs. Releases from Ruedi will increase an additional 100 cfs by the end of today, August 6, and releases are expected to increase further to fulfill senior water rights in the Grand Valley. These elevated flows will make wading and other river recreation more hazardous in the lower Fryingpan River.

We thank our friends at The Colorado Wildlife Council for supporting our River Reports.

08/05/2026

Ruedi Reservoir releases will increase 100 cfs by the end of tomorrow, August 6th, bringing flows on the lower Fryingpan River to 314 cfs. Flows at this level will make wading and other river recreation more hazardous in the Fryingpan.

Releases are expected to increase substantially in the next couple of weeks to fulfill senior water rights in the drought-stricken Grand Valley.

https://aspenjournalism.org/fryingpan-river-to-see-high-flows-as-ruedi-releases-increase/

08/05/2026

Residents and anglers can expect to see high flows in the Fryingpan River in the month of August as water managers increase releases out of Ruedi Reservoir in an attempt to relieve the worst drought conditions downstream.

The Colorado Water Trust plans to begin releasing from a 4,700-acre-foot pool it leases in Ruedi on Monday. The Glenwood Springs-based Colorado River Water Conservation District also plans to begin releases from its 10,500-acre-foot Ruedi pool next week. Flows in the Fryingpan River are expected to typically be between 300 and 500 cfs while the releases are happening, though they could climb higher. It’s unclear how long the increased releases will last; it will depend on weather and precipitation over the coming weeks.

Residents and anglers can expect to see high flows in the Fryingpan River in the month of August as water managers increase releases out of Ruedi Reservoir in an attempt to relieve the worst drought conditions downstream.

08/05/2026

🎨𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝? 🎨

The Snowmass Plein Air Festival brings together 20 talented Colorado artists to paint the stunning landscapes of the Roaring Fork Valley in real time. You'll get to meet the artists, hear their stories, and experience the beauty of Snowmass through their eyes. Their artwork will be for sale on the Snowmass Base Village events lawn-offering all a chance to take home an original piece.

𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞:
Saturday, August 8 | 10am-4pm
Sunday, August 9 | 10am-4pm

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Base Village Events Lawn

𝘼 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙩 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮! 💙

Learn more at https://www.gosnowmass.com/event/plein-air-art-festival/

08/04/2026

Ruedi Ramp will close to motorized watercraft launching for public safety Aug. 4 at 10 p.m. due to low water and ramp conditions.

There is approximately 18 feet of concrete ramp remaining at the current reservoir level. The 18 of the boat ramp still underwater are covered with mud from being underwater for so many years. The drought conditions, mud, and need for water to be released from the reservoir to fill downstream water rights will make the ramp unusable as the reservoir continues to drop.

“With the limited length of ramp and reservoir levels, it is clear we need to close the ramp early this year,” said Jennifer Schuller, Acting Aspen-Sopris District Ranger.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will cease to inspect boats for Aquatic Nuisance Species at the Ruedi Boat Ramp once the gates are locked and launching is prohibited. As a reminder, motorized watercraft are prohibited from launching on Ruedi Reservoir without a certified Aquatic Nuisance Species inspection.

Hand launched watercraft such as kayaks, paddle boards, or canoes are still allowed to launch from Ruedi Day Use area. To help prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species. please be responsible by cleaning, draining and drying hand launched watercraft between waterbodies.

The boat launch gates will remain locked throughout the remainder of the 2026 season. There are no other authorized public locations to launch motorized watercraft on Ruedi Reservoir.

08/03/2026

🎨𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 🎨

The Snowmass Plein Air Festival brings together 20 talented Colorado artists to paint the stunning landscapes of the Roaring Fork Valley in real time. You'll get to meet the artists, hear their stories, and experience the beauty of Snowmass through their eyes. Their artwork will be for sale on the Snowmass Base Village events lawn-offering all a chance to take home an original piece.

𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞:
Saturday, August 8 | 10am-4pm
Sunday, August 9 | 10am-4pm

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Base Village Events Lawn

𝘼 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙩 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮! 💙

Learn more at https://www.gosnowmass.com/event/plein-air-art-festival/

07/31/2026

Lots of tubers are enjoying local rivers in this heat. Are you being a pain in the ANS?

Float time shouldn't bring home any unwanted passengers. Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) can hitch a ride on inner tubes, life jackets and river gear.

The lower Roaring Fork River and Colorado River both have New Zealand mudsnails. The Colorado River has zebra mussels. The number one way they spread? Humans.

Clean.
Drain.
Dry.
All water gear, after every use. Yes, really. Every time.

Find out how to be a Pain in the ANS at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's website https://cpw.state.co.us/aquatic-nuisance-species-program