Each spring in Colorado, outfitters across the state watch the snowpack like farmers watch the sky. The mountain snowmelt feeds our rivers—and in years when snowfall is light, the whitewater season can feel uncertain.
But here on the Arkansas River, we’re lucky to have a safeguard in place: the Voluntary Flow Management Program (VFMP). This cooperative program helps ensure consistent water levels for rafting during the summer months, even when nature doesn’t deliver a big snow year. And in 2025—when snowpack levels are significantly below average—that’s a very big deal.
At Monumental Expeditions, we’re especially grateful for how the VFMP supports small, family-run outfitters like ours. It allows us to keep offering safe, fun, and memorable rafting adventures on America’s most rafted river—even when the season gets off to a dry start.
💧 What Is the Voluntary Flow Management Program?
The VFMP is a voluntary agreement between multiple partners who all rely on the Arkansas River in different ways. It includes:
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- The Bureau of Reclamation
- Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
- Recreation stakeholders, including rafting outfitters and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA)
The VFMP governs how and when water is released from upstream reservoirs—particularly Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake—to balance agricultural needs, municipal water storage, and recreation.
From July 1 to August 15, when river levels typically begin to drop and rafting demand peaks, the VFMP helps maintain a minimum target flow of 700 cubic feet per second (cfs) at the Wellsville gauge, near Salida. This consistent flow ensures that rafting can continue safely and reliably through the busiest part of the summer.
🚣 Why the VFMP Matters—Especially in Low Snowpack Years
In a high-snow year, nature takes care of everything. The rivers run high, the rapids roar, and outfitters stay busy from May to September. But when snowpack is low—like it is in 2025—things get more complicated.
Without the VFMP, outfitters would face much more variability in river conditions. In dry years, natural runoff might not sustain safe or exciting flows through the mid-to-late summer months. That means fewer bookings, cancelled trips, economic stress for guides and support staff, and a shorter window to share the river with our guests.
Thanks to the VFMP, though, we can still plan for a steady, predictable rafting season, even when nature doesn’t cooperate. It’s a win not just for outfitters, but also for:
- Guests, who can confidently book trips into July and August without worrying about water levels.
- Local businesses, who benefit from the sustained flow of tourism.
- Guides and seasonal workers, who can count on a full season of employment.
🏞️ A River for Everyone—Not Just Rafters
What makes the VFMP truly remarkable is that it works because of cooperation, not mandates. Everyone who participates in the program has a stake in the Arkansas River’s future, from rafters and anglers to ranchers and municipalities.
By releasing water during high-recreation periods and storing it when needed for agriculture or city use, the VFMP shows how collaborative water management can benefit a wide range of users without compromising the needs of any one group.
The Arkansas River is a working river, a recreational paradise, and a key resource for communities all along its banks. The VFMP is a shining example of how we can keep it flowing for all of those purposes—especially during dry years.
🧭 Why It Matters to Monumental Expeditions
As a small, family-run outfitter based at Chalk Creek Campground and RV Park, we don’t have a massive fleet or a hundred employees. What we do have is a deep connection to this river, this valley, and the experience of every guest who joins us for a trip.
Programs like the VFMP are critical for businesses like ours. They allow us to plan our season, hire great guides, and promise our guests a consistent, top-quality experience.
Even in a year with low snowpack, we can still offer:
- Half-day and full-day whitewater trips
- Beginner and family-friendly adventures
- Exciting Class III+ rapids with stunning scenery
- Personalized service with small group sizes
Our location at Chalk Creek Campground makes it easy for guests to stay, launch, and relax all in one place—especially when they know the river will be flowing strong thanks to the VFMP.
📅 Looking Ahead: A Strong Season Despite Low Snow
With the help of the VFMP, the Arkansas River remains one of the most reliable rafting destinations in the country, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. That’s one of the biggest reasons why Monumental Expeditions is excited and ready for the 2025 season—and why you should be too.
If you’re planning a Colorado adventure this summer, know that we’ll have great water, great guides, and great memories waiting for you—thanks in no small part to this innovative and essential program.
✅ Book with Confidence
The 2025 rafting season is shaping up to be exciting, and we’re open now! Our trips begin May 1, and thanks to the VFMP, we’ll have excellent flows deep into the summer—even with a lighter-than-average snowpack.
📍 Located at Chalk Creek Campground and RV Park, we offer a convenient, scenic, and welcoming place to start your Arkansas River adventure.
🎟️ Reserve your spot today and experience the difference of rafting with a small company that puts you first—on a river that keeps flowing, no matter the snowpack.