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The Lower Uncompahgre River, Utah

story and photography by Christina Callicott

Getting Started

PUT-IN Billy Creek State Wildlife Area, Hwy. 550 north of Ridgway

TAKE-OUTS Chipeta Lakes (left/west off Hwy. 550 at the Ute Indian Museum; park is on the right) and Baldridge Park (Hwy. 550 to Montrose; turn at Wendy?s and follow signs).

SEASON Late April or mid-May to September

FLOWS boatertalk.com/gauges.php?pageid=1 (scan near the bottom of the page for Unc flows)

OUTFITTERS/GEAR RIGS Fly Shop, Ridgway, (970) 626-4460

The Uncompahgre River between Ridgway and Montrose, Colo., is a friendly and scenic little river, perfect for the beginning to intermediate kayaker, or even the advanced boater looking for a fun and moderate float. With the San Juan Mountains and the Adobe Hills as backdrops, the river winds through horse pastures, goat farms and dense stands of willow and cottonwood. Great blue heron, Canada geese, ducks, and numerous species of songbirds populate its stretches. In addition, the Uncompahgre below Ridgway Reservoir boasts some of the cleanest water in mining country, and you'll be sure to encounter fly fishers in search of the water's plentiful trout.

The mighty Uncompahgre drains north from the heavily mined area of Red Mountain Pass and follows Hwy. 550 from Ouray down to Montrose, then Hwy. 50 to its confluence with the Gunnison at Delta.

The first recommended put-in for the lower Unc is at Billy Creek State Wildlife Area. Potential access points at Buckhorn Road in Colona, Uncompahgre Road and Trout Road are blocked by private land. Access directly from the bridges may be possible, but would certainly be more hazardous than any of the rapids on this stretch of river.

Just after Billy Creek, boaters encounter their first real rapid, no more than an easy Class II. Centennial Ranch is not far below, with large rocks providing holes for the trout and rock-dodging practice for boaters. In fact, fish-habitat structures, built in recent years to improve the ecology of the river, provide for some of the better whitewater on this stretch of river.

Within 10 or so miles of Billy Creek, there are two river-wide structures that create sizable and potentially sticky drops for kayakers. While the maneuvering - or lack thereof - would not warrant a Class III designation for these rapids, some boaters feel that the size and the strength of the hit might, especially at higher water. On the other hand, high water makes for good play-holes and surf waves, and adds some spice to the rest of the run.

Just above Uncompahgre Road, the South Canal brings water from the Gunnison and dumps it into the Unc. While the water's roar may be intimidating for beginners, the new water doesn't affect the main channel and is easily avoided on the left.

After Uncompahgre Road, the rapids peter out and the boating becomes more of a float, but stay on the lookout. Obstacles common to agricultural land do remain, including low-head dams, sweepers and river-wide strainers. If you don't take out at Trout Road, be prepared to walk around the bottom-release dam that creates a pool there. Just above Montrose is a more dangerous dam below a left turn in the river. Listen for the thunderous roar, and take out early because there's no still pool at the top of this one, and you definitely don't want to run it. Other dams exist in and below Montrose as well, including a particularly long drop at La Salle Road just south of town.

Just after your portage around certain death is the first legal takeout, as well as a put-in for the Montrose town run, at the Hwy. 550 bridge. Also in the same vicinity is Chipeta Lakes, another good public-access point to the river. Some nice little rapids and play waves follow as you float to the takeout at Baldridge Park. Be on the lookout for a red metal deck that overhangs the river on the right, and take out there. To access Baldridge Park for your shuttle, take a left at the Wendy's in Montrose, and another left at the Montrose Athletic Center, a building with red and black awnings.

The river remains boatable through Montrose, but after that the river loses its character, with trash in the river and poor scenery. From Billy Creek to Montrose is a good long day, and you can celebrate with a dinner and beer at your choice of Montrosefine Mexican restaurants. Even better, head back up to Ridgway for Thai food at Siam, or a burger or barbecue at the new Doghouse BBQ Bistro.

Some sections of the lower Unc are raftable, including the Montrose town run. RIGS Fly Shop out of Ridgway uses private lands to access the river for half-day trips from above Billy Creek to Vernal Road. However, mandatory portages and limited access make kayaks and duckies a better choice of craft for private boaters.

Perhaps in the future, boaters, anglers and other river lovers will join forces to encourage land-management agencies to negotiate with private landowners for a scenic corridor along the river E1 lE0 Grand Junction. Then more people could see what this nice little stretch of river has to offer.

Christina Callicott paddled part of the lower Unc on one of her first kayak trips. She taught kayaking for the Colorado Outward Bound School, though rowing the big desert rivers remains her first love.

Thursday, August 27, 2009
at 11:50:24 AM

Suggest removal

ezwater says:

Actual distance from Billys Creek to Trout Road is 9.3 miles, measured using Google Earth. The dam basin at Trout Road is not posted, but the fence one has to cross to portage on the right IS posted.

I think RIGS fly shop may be responsible for the half mile of articial rapids below Colona and upstream of the Uncompahgre Rd. bridge. Paddlers should be careful about swimming through these rapids. There is a lot of water flowing THROUGH these rockpiles rather than over them.

I recommend at least 300 cfs on the Colona gauge, and small, experienced parties only. The transfer canal from the Gunnison puts so much water into the Uncompahgre that it may be a good idea to check the wave-hole where the Unc enters the Trout Rd. dam basin. It is possible that at higher flows, the wave or hole may be more than some can handle.