Western River Expeditions reports that this year’s snowpack feeding the Colorado River Basin is the highest in over 10 years, currently standing at 151.3% percent of the historic April 6 average. This is a boon to the whitewater rafting industry and helps mitigate (at least in the short term) the effects of the two-decades-long drought that has plagued America’s Southwest.

“The prediction of higher water is fantastic news for our water storage needs and signals that river rafting adventures in Utah’s Cataract Canyon may be heating up for epic whitewater excitement this summer,” said Kam Wixom, former guide and current Marketing Director for Western River Expeditions.

Cataract Canyon was formed by the confluence of two of the West’s largest rivers, the Green and the Colorado. Most of the Colorado River flowing through Cataract Canyon is not restrained by dams. (This contrasts with the flow of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon where the water level is regulated by an upriver dam.)

“This means that with increased water flow, the class III-V rapids in Cataract Canyon only get bigger and more breathtaking!” said Wixom. “Our Cataract Canyon rafting trips, which excel when the water is high, look extremely promising already.” And the best thing Wixom points out, is that after the peak spring runoff (predicted to come for two or three weeks in mid-May to mid-June), the benefits of high water conditions may continue through most of the season.

This news is music to the ears of avid rafters who love the thrills of high-water rafting. Many of the more technical, rock-filled rapids during low water become rolling wave trains.  High water also gives rafters more time for side canyon hikes and exploring terrain around their river camps because they get to the camps faster and leave a bit later the next morning.

Brian Merrill, Western River Expedition’s CEO, added: “Cataract Canyon in the peak flows are the highest whitewater rapids in North America – big enough waves to make the 37-foot-long J-Rig do exactly what it was designed to do: stand on end and glide right over whitewater rapids that want to swallow it whole.”

Following are two itineraries in Cataract Canyon that Wixom expects will be in high demand this year because of the anticipated higher-than-normal snowpack run-off.

Cataract Canyon Express 2-Day Adventure at $895 per person for adults and youth (12+) engages high-speed, custom rafts to rapid journeys through the Colorado River’s legendary 100-mile Cataract Canyon in just two days.

“This is a perfect itinerary for those with busy schedules yearning for a quick but refreshing dose of high adventure,” underscored Wixom.

Cataract Canyon 4-Day Expedition at $1,825 for adults and $1,325 for youth (10-15) is a more complete four-day rafting journey combing the beauty of Canyonlands National Park with on-river thrills. Off-river hikes include explorations of ancient Native American ruins and pictographs. Guests conclude this adventure with a stunning flight over Canyonlands National Park on their return to Moab. The trip covers 100 river miles with the pleasures of camping under the stars and dining on chef-prepared meals.

Other rafting trips on Colorado and neighboring Green Rivers in Utah are also expected to have excellent high water levels this spring and summer. They include five-day trips through Desolation Canyon on the Green River and full-day trips into Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River just upriver from Cataract Canyon.

To see the latest Colorado River watershed snowpack report, see: http://snowpack.water-data.com/uppercolorado/index.php

For a copy of Western River Expeditions’ 2023 catalog and to ask questions about the trips, availability and reservations, call toll-free: 866.904.1160 (Local: 801.942.6669), or visit: http://www.westernriver.com/.

About Western River Expeditions
Western River Expeditions is an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, with operations and offices in Moab, Utah, and Fredonia, Arizona. Annually from March through October, it escorts more people down rivers on professionally guided rafting trips in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona than any other company. It is the largest licensed outfitter in the Grand Canyon and the largest single tour provider in Moab, UT, through its division Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).

Western River Expeditions, providing Grand Canyon rafting, Utah and Idaho rafting, and international multi-sport trips, was founded in 1961 by Colorado River rafting pioneer Jack Currey. It has been named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The company is the proud recipient of the “Best of State” award through Utah’s Premier Recognition and Awards Program for the past nineteen consecutive years (2004-2022).