In late 2012, AW launched a new program to protect flows and access on river and stream segments throughout Colorado's Gunnison River Basin. These include iconic runs like Oh-Be-Joyful, the Gunnison Gorge, the Black Canyon, the Uncompahgre River and Escalante-Dominguez Canyons. Now, we need a few minutes of your time to help make this effort a success! We are writing today to ask you to complete the 2013 Gunnison River Basin Survey.

Please complete the Survey! It will take 15 minutes or less but your input is invaluable in protecting boating opportunities for years to come in this large area of western Colorado.

So why have we launched a Gunnison Basin program and why are we conducting a flow study there? Most broadly, because like the Colorado River Basin (which the Gunnison is a part of) the amount of water available has declined and is expected to continue declining as the population reliant on that water increases. This is creating a situation where water stakeholders (municipalities, agriculture, industry, hydropower, anglers, and conservation) are working through planning efforts to make sure that their needs continue to be met. AW must be a strong voice in this conversation, but we need numeric data on the flows necessary to maintain an optimal paddling experience on these rivers. Your responses to the Gunnison River Flow Survey will enable us to define and defend flows needed to maintain these quality boating experiences.

While no reward is greater than healthy, boatable rivers, our friends at KEEN are sweetening the deal by giving away a free pair of shoes to one lucky Survey participant. By completing the Survey, you will be entered into a drawing for one FREE pair of KEEN's of your choice! 

Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you have any questions.

Chris Menges - Gunnison River Stewardship Fellow, Crested Butte, CO

PHOTO: Rolf Kelly kayaking in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Due to a second year of drought conditions, peak flows in the Black and Gunnison Gorge are only expected to reach 685 cfs this year, and only for one day. Is this enough water to maintain the paddling experience? Let us know by taking the Flow Survey. Photo by Tom Janney