Fishy Friday: Runoff Has Begun

Current rips down a nearby tributary of the Big Thompson after all the recent rain.

Rivers and creeks throughout our watershed–and beyond–are beginning to swell this week, as persistent rains combine with increasing snowmelt to send more and more water downstream, often referred to as “runoff”. The runoff season usually peaks sometime in early June, after which the rivers settle down and clear up again, but this year, colder-than-average temperatures and higher-than-average snowpack will likely extend runoff through June, and possibly even into early July. 

A longer runoff season would be beneficial for us in many different ways. The increased current helps to scour away silt, ash, and debris that builds up in riverbeds throughout the rest of the year, keeping the water clearer and colder, which is vital for the survival of trout and other aquatic animals. And the additional flows will mean longer seasons for recreational rafters, kayakers, and anglers, all of whom are vital components of our burgeoning tourist industry.

This graph shows how much the Big Thompson river through Moraine Park has risen over just the past few days.

There are a couple notable downsides to additional runoff, including increased risk of property damage from flooding, and increased hazard to people and animals who get too close to the raging currents. Even small feeder creeks can be dangerous this time of year, so please exercise extra caution while hiking near streams for the next few weeks. If you do have to enter a swollen stream for some reason, try to face upstream at all times, and walk across sideways (keeping your toes pointed upstream), making sure to plant one foot securely before lifting and moving the other.