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If you’re anything like us we’re taking this opportunity of physical distancing to clean out the garage, wash down the boat and day dream of our next big river trip. To help you with your river day blues DRBA is proud to announce the launch of the new Dolores River Guide.
Plan now, boat later.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOATING ON THE DOLORES RIVER IN 2020 IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19:
DRBA offers the following recommendations based on the governor’s “Safer at Home” guidelines and our research and contact with many public land agencies, towns and counties where the Dolores flows.
The first part of our mission is, “DOLORES RIVER BOATING ADVOCATES PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE RECREATIONAL USE.” That is what we are recommending within the context of COVID-19.
The governor’s “Safer at Home” orders include the following guidelines that affect outdoor recreation:
Many local governments have enacted their own restrictions and these will likely change over time. If you go, check with these local authorities on ever changing conditions and recommendations with respect to COVID-19. The following are the hyperlinks for the Sheriff’s offices and County and Regional Departments of Health of the Dolores watershed.
Colorado
Montezuma County Department of Health
Dolores County Department of Health
San Miguel County Department of Health
Montrose County Department of Health
Mesa County Department of Health
Utah
Southeast Utah Health Department
An important consideration is that the Dolores River runs through small towns and rural counties in Southwest Colorado and Southeast Utah, and many of these places do not have extensive medical facilities and have very few confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Please follow local government recommendations. If they request that you stay away, please respect these requests. Avoid stopping for supplies or fuel in these places.
Private Property access is always off limits without permission from landowners. Thus far the river stretches that are in BLM land will be open to camping, with the exception of the Utah Moab Field Office where camping is currently closed which includes all BLM land along the Dolores in Utah. Public officials have told us clearly that if there are too many people congregating at access points they may be forced to close them to the public.
Do not endanger yourself or others. If you do go boating, only run sections close to home that are easy for you and below your normal skill level. Stay sharp. Don’t be the boater that has to call for help. Search and Rescue does not need additional risk this year. And don’t get hurt. Hospitals need to maintain space and supplies in the case of new local Covid cases.
In the midst of this public health emergency, it may not be the best year to go boating. If you find yourself inclined to go boating, here are other recommendations to consider:
