Stories From The Water

Colorado has been one of the top vacation spots for decades. With its breathtaking scenery and outdoors culture, it’s been a hot spot for anyone yearning for some outdoor fun. If you’re still not convinced to plan your next trip to Colorado, here are twelve reasons to book your next trip to the Rocky Mountains…

Six outstanding whitewater runs to add to this fall’s “must-do” list. By Terri Cook for Westword Magazine Summer is in full swing, and the state’s rivers are primed for kayaking after all the recent rain. While paddlers might be thrilled to seize the opportunity to run a few stretches, with the waters high, it’s more important than ever to keep safety first. Matt Mattes, head guide at Dvorak Expeditions, the state’s first (and longest) licensed outfitter, says that paddlers should check run descriptions, which often depend upon the flows, and the latest water levels, before launching—while high-flowing rivers are a kayaker’s dream, they can also be a nightmare if you’re not prepared. “The rating scales have a lot to do with water levels (how big and pushy versus technical and rocky), and how accessible a run is (how far from…

A Checklist for Great Fall Color Photos from nikonusa.com Location “It’s everything,” says nature photographer Rod Planck, who ought to know: his fall color photo tours sell out faster than any other tour or workshop he offers, which is a testament to the image opportunities and overall inspiration of fall color. If you’re thinking of focusing a photography vacation around the colors of autumn, or just want to spend a day or two in pursuit of the season’s hues, Rod suggests three major regions to consider: the New England states; the Colorado Rockies; and the upper Midwest of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota (all the photos here were taken by Rod in his home state of Michigan). If you live elsewhere, your best bet is the website of your state’s tourism board for timely, peak fall color information, perhaps even a…

Browns Canyon National Monument OUR COUNTRY HAS 117 NATIONAL MONUMENTS scattered across 30 states, from the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor to the Misty Fjords in Alaska. National monuments have been established to protect coral reefs in American Samoa, Spanish forts in Florida and extinct volcanoes in New Mexico as well as landscape-scale,…

From FIBArk.com. For full 2016 schedule visit FIBArk Website. Every year in June during the Arkansas River runoff in Salida, Colorado, a festival occurs called FIBArk or “First In Boating the Arkansas.” The festival focuses on whitewater boat races and paddlers from around the nation and world come to compete. The town is consumed…

Reposted from Ammoland.com: Maintaining outdoor traditions, generating local sportsmen support must be key considerations for future national monument proposals, according to national report Salida, CO -(AmmoLand.com)- Designation of the new, 21,586-acre Browns Canyon National Monument is delivering landscape-scale conservation benefits, continued hunting and angling opportunity, and economic payoffs, said sportsmen-conservation leaders at a gathering of decision-makers and journalists on the Arkansas River over the weekend. Coloradans worked for more than 40 years to permanently conserve and protect the diverse terrain of Browns Canyon, which includes high alpine meadows and lakes, winter range in the pinon-juniper hills, habitat for iconic big game species, and the Arkansas River—one of Colorado’s most popular trout fisheries. The monument was formally designated on Feb. 19, 2015. “The Arkansas River and Browns Canyon is a story about persistence and working together for the common good,” said Corey…

So, now that Browns Canyon is a National Monument and federally protected, you’re probably asking yourself how this will affect opportunities to raft the white waters of the Arkansas River. Bill Dvorak was an integral part is securing national monument status for Browns Canyon, and ensuring the tradition of whitewater rafting was an important aspect of this conservation initiative. Whitewater rafting continues in Browns Canyon Since management of the Arkansas River will remain the same, the tradition whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River will continue for generations to come. But now that Browns Canyon is a national monument, there are other areas of the park that are now protected and maintained, like the unparalleled rafting, kayaking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, climbing and hiking. Monument status will also protect historic water and grazing rights. No new roads will be constructed in…

Dvorak offers thrilling whitewater expeditions on the Colorado rivers suitable for the whole family, but we also have adrenaline pumping, physically strenuous whitewater trips for our advanced paddlers on the world famous Royal Gorge. Book your Royal Gorge whitewater rafting adventure early with DVK. Arkansas River: Royal Gorge advanced rafting tours The Royal Gorge section…

With all the snow we’ve had this winter, it can be hard to imagine that our water supply is dwindling and a drought is waiting right around the corner. But as summer approaches, it’s time to share a few water conservation tips from Colorado University’s Environmental Center. Dvorak is behind a number of conservation efforts, and as we raft down the many rivers of the Southwestern States, we are reminded at how precious our water is, and that we must protect it at all costs. Colorado’s snow pack is in decline and could affect rafting You may have been frustrated by a long cold, snowy winter. But Colorado depends on this snow for about 50-80% of our yearly water supply. And even though it seems like we’ve gotten a massive amount of snow this winter, the Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability…

We’ve talked a lot about how important it is to protect and preserve every part of this great land. With Christo’s Over the River project moving forward, you may have some questions about how this type of art installation will affect the surrounding wildlife. Over the River is committed to conservation Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the…