Dam Operators Boosting Colorado River Flows

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Water officials say they're adding flows to the Colorado River to benefit fish, rafting, and farmers and ranchers in western Colorado after a dry spring.

The Colorado River District, Denver Water and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are increasing river flows by about 450 cubic feet a second through releases from the Wolford Mountain, Williams Fork and Green Mountain reservoirs.

That should boost flows in Glenwood Canyon to around 1,100 cfs through early next week. The river district says the 71-year average of flows for this time of the year in Glenwood Canyon is more than 6,000 cfs.

The extra flows will help reduce water temperatures in Grand County to help trout survive.

An agreement Denver Water reached with western Colorado water entities helped clear the way for the releases.

The flows should also increase in Parshall, a hotspot for fishermen.

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