Annual River Awareness Float Trip con't
... most popular and well attended outdoor events. Every year, the organization recruits boat captains and regional conservation experts to take rafters through a newly restored or improved area on the river. Residents play on the water while learning firsthand about exciting developments in river stewardship.
The event takes place on the third Saturday in May and is attended by up to 200 people. Families and rafters of all levels participate, and tickets generally run from $20-$30 for adults and $15 for children (ages 8+), with a seat on a raft and lunch included. All proceeds go to support the Conservation Center’s river restoration projects in Delta County.
The Conservation Center has been doing river restoration projects for over 15 years. Most of the projects have involved reconstructing the river channel where it has been disturbed and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat in and around the river. During most restoration projects, the river banks and bed are reshaped to reestablish natural flow and reduce bank erosion. Debris that people have used to stabilize banks, like tires or car bodies, as well as dangerous and poorly designed dikes and dams, are removed from the site.
In the past, the Annual River Awareness Float Trip has highlighted river restoration projects at the Paonia River Park River (2014), the Relief Ditch Diversion Dam (2013), the Hartland Diversion Dam (2012), Midway, Hotchkiss, and the Curry Conservation Easement (2011).
All attendees must register prior to the float. Registration is usually open during the first week of May on the Western Slope Conservation Center’s website.
Businesses are invited to sponsor with financial contributions and volunteers are always needed to help with registration, photography, parking, and other logistics.
For more information about the River Awareness Float visit our website or call 970-527-5307.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATION CENTER
The Western Slope Conservation Center is a grass-roots organization based in Paonia, Colorado. Our organization began in 1977 when neighbors joined to stop coal mines from dumping waste next to the river. Over the years, we have worked to protect water resources, public lands, and human health. We focus on issues concerning Delta County and the North Fork Valley.
The event takes place on the third Saturday in May and is attended by up to 200 people. Families and rafters of all levels participate, and tickets generally run from $20-$30 for adults and $15 for children (ages 8+), with a seat on a raft and lunch included. All proceeds go to support the Conservation Center’s river restoration projects in Delta County.
The Conservation Center has been doing river restoration projects for over 15 years. Most of the projects have involved reconstructing the river channel where it has been disturbed and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat in and around the river. During most restoration projects, the river banks and bed are reshaped to reestablish natural flow and reduce bank erosion. Debris that people have used to stabilize banks, like tires or car bodies, as well as dangerous and poorly designed dikes and dams, are removed from the site.
In the past, the Annual River Awareness Float Trip has highlighted river restoration projects at the Paonia River Park River (2014), the Relief Ditch Diversion Dam (2013), the Hartland Diversion Dam (2012), Midway, Hotchkiss, and the Curry Conservation Easement (2011).
All attendees must register prior to the float. Registration is usually open during the first week of May on the Western Slope Conservation Center’s website.
Businesses are invited to sponsor with financial contributions and volunteers are always needed to help with registration, photography, parking, and other logistics.
For more information about the River Awareness Float visit our website or call 970-527-5307.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATION CENTER
The Western Slope Conservation Center is a grass-roots organization based in Paonia, Colorado. Our organization began in 1977 when neighbors joined to stop coal mines from dumping waste next to the river. Over the years, we have worked to protect water resources, public lands, and human health. We focus on issues concerning Delta County and the North Fork Valley.