RMA Poudre Rock Report

Bridges Run is Open! Yeah! Belfor Environmental officially finished the clean up of the “original” tanker spill yesterday and have re-opened the stretch of river between MM113 & 115- the Bridges Run.

That’s the good news. The bad news, as you have all heard, another tanker dumped it’s wad into our beloved riv on the Filter Plant Run. Fortunately, that spill was quickly contained due to the low flow of the river, geologic features of the crash site, the EPA official witnessing the accident, and Belfor being only 4 miles away and acting quickly. They expect clean-up to be completed by Tue.

What does this mean for river flows through Bridges? The morning of Crash II the water officials released more water for the boaters (I mean the farmers), which they were able to divert through the Monroe Tunnel at the North Poudre Diversion (just below BTO) just in time to avoid a catastrophe at the crash site. I don’t know if they are still flowing all that water, which could potentially help make the Bridges Run boat-able. I would imagine the farmers need the water, still. Either way, the Bridges Run is open for whatever recreation you desire.

Have fun, and Be Safe!

Boaters and friends of the Poudre, another asphalt truck has landed in the river, four miles downstream from the first. The clean-up crews were hoping to be done with the Bridges clean up by this weekend, and now they have another incident on the Filter Plant. The Filter Plant run will be closed to all activities for at least a week, perhaps two.

Water flow update- they had just released more water for the farmers this morning and are diverting it at the North Poudre Diversion (Monroe Tunnel) at MM 115.5 (the low head damn just downstream from BTO). I will keep you posted as more info comes in. For now, the flow through Filter Plant is about 25cfs. Have a safe holiday weekend.

Boaters, the clean up is going well- they have 50% of the tar bagged and tagged. However, the remaining 50% (including what’s on the near shore where the truck came to rest) will take the remainder of the week to clean up. The EPA is “hopeful” they can finish the clean-up and open the river for recreation (and drinking water for Ft Collins and Greeley) by the Labor Day weekend. As soon as I hear news I will relay it to you.

In the mean time, the canyon will remain cool today- highs in the upper 60’s, maybe touching the low 70’s- partly cloudy and late afternoon thunder showers. Have fun and be safe.

Still closed for clean up.

Per Larimer County Sheriff, CDOT, Forest Service and EPA, the Bridges Run will remain closed until further notice. As soon as something changes I will let you all know. Thank you for your patience and understanding.