News / Most current news

February 2025 River Notes

3 Ice Jams Released on the Roaring Fork River in January

You most likely heard about ice jams and ice jam releases over the last month, but might be wondering what they are.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, an ice jam is "an accumulation of ice at a given location which, in a river, restricts the flow of water." In essence, a dam of ice is created, backing up water. At some point, just "enough" water creates enough pressure on the ice jam that it will release, sending a wave of water and massive ice slabs downstream = an ice jam release.

 
The first two ice jams released on the Roaring Fork River within about 12 hours of each other. The first ice jam released on Wednesday, January 15, and preliminary data shows the Roaring Fork River in Emma went from around 270 cfs to 900 cfs. The second ice jam release took place 12 hours later on Thursday, January 16 and the Roaring Fork River at Emma climbed to around 1,500 cfs! The third ice jam released on Saturday, January 25 around 2:30pm.
 
On the Roaring Fork River, most of the ice jams initially release within Snowmass Canyon. The wave of water has been measured from there all the way to Glenwood Springs. The water from the first two ice jam releases reached Glenwood 8 and 6 hours, respectively, after they went through Basalt. In fact, the ice jam release on January 16, doubled the flow of the Roaring Fork River in Glenwood Springs!
 
Ice jam releases are incredible and a natural phenomena but are also extremely dangerous to river users, especially winter anglers. Tragically, about 25 years ago, an angler on the Roaring Fork River was killed when an ice jam released on Christmas Day.
 
Today, Roaring Fork Conservancy has a coordinated effort with the U.S. National Weather Service in Grand JunctionPitkin County Emergency Management, and Basalt Police Department to alert the community of i) when conditions are right for an ice jam to possibly occur, and ii) when an ice jam has released and is coming downstream.
 
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐣𝐚𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟗-𝟏-𝟏 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, and especially those in the river or near the banks. Several anglers have told us those alerts saved their lives when they were fishing, and they had enough time to exit the river before the ice and water came through.
 
View more videos of ice jam releases on the Roaring Fork River over the years, on RFC's YouTube channel HERE.

 

RFC%20blue%20wave.jpg

 River%20Stewards%20Corner%20(1)(1).png

This is the inaugural installation of the River Stewards Corner. Every month, RFC's River Stewards will be answering questions or sharing interesting facts about the Roaring Fork Watershed.

 

Dear River Stewards,
Who are the River Stewards?
What’s your deal?
Signed, Curious

 

Dear Curious,

 
The River Stewards are a group of young professionals and watershed enthusiasts who live and work in the Roaring Fork Valley. Though we come from diverse backgrounds and careers, we're united by a passion for playing in and protecting our watershed. We volunteer with RFC to spread awareness of our water resources and promote responsible river behavior. Two years ago, we put together and published the pocket-size "User Guide to the Lower Roaring Fork River."  (Don't have one? You can download it here.) Last year, we co-hosted one of the Buttermilk Friday Uphill Breakfasts and placed trivia posters along the routes to keep you entertained and informed. Want to learn more or get involved? Visit our website here or follow us on Instagram @rfcstewards for updates and river-related fun!

Stay curious,

River Stewards Alyssa, Alex, Chase, PJ, & Melissa

RFC%20blue%20wave.jpg
Teen Fly Tying Club
 
Students in grades 5-12 are invited to learn about aquatic life in our rivers, how to tie their own flies, and how to use those flies to catch fish!
 
Snacks, tools, and materials will be provided.
 
We will meet from 3:00-4:30pm at Basalt Regional Library every Wednesday starting January 8 through March 19. Fly tiers will be encouraged to participate in the 10th Annual Iron Fly Competition on Saturday, February 8!
 
This club is FREE and no need to register. Just show up on the dates you are available!
Design%20(1).png

 

 

 

 

 

 

RFC%20blue%20wave.jpg


CompanyMatch.png

Double your Impact with a Company Match

By taking advantage of a company's matching gift benefit, you may be able to double or even triple the amount of your contribution.

Ask your HR department today and notify RFC by emailing sheryl@roaringfork.org.

Charitable%20Rollovers.png

Consider a Charitable Rollover

Individuals over 70½ may donate to charities directly from their IRA, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). QCDs count towards any required minimum distribution (RMD) an account holder must take from their IRA. With a QCD you can benefit your Roaring Fork Watershed, fulfill your RMD requirement, and exclude that amount from your income.

Ask your financial advisor if this is a good strategy for you to support your rivers!

become-a-business-member.png
 

Would you like to be featured as a Spotlight Business Member?

Join us as a Premier Business Member!

Show your clients and customers that you support essential river research, education, and conservation work and be featured as a Spotlight Business Member!

 

 

 
RFC%20blue%20wave.jpg

 

 

 Supporting Your Watershed is as Easy as 1-2-3!

RFC%20-%20City%20Market%20-%20Rewards.png  If you have a City Market loyalty card, supporting your watershed is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1) Click enroll and log in to your account at www.citymarketcommunityrewards.com

  2) Search for Roaring Fork Conservancy or CV113

  3) Click Enroll and you're ready to support your rivers while you run errands! 

 

  Learn more at: https://www.citymarket.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/

  

 

RFC%20blue%20wave.jpg

 

 

FEBRUARY SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS MEMBER!

Harbour.png

Superpowered Contract Management

Harbour makes it easier for companies with high volumes of contracts to manage, sign, search, and store agreements securely and efficiently. Whether it’s getting permission to use a video from social media, executing a contract with talent, or sending out NDAs, Harbour provides scalable and secure tools for all forms of agreements. We are charting new standards for digital contracting and would love to welcome you along on the journey, either as a customer, partner or teammate.

 

About  Products Customers 

www.harbourshare.com

 

 

Thank you for helping protect our rivers and streams!

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

Roaring Fork Conservancy

PHONE: (970) 927-1290
EMAIL: info@roaringfork.org

MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 3349
Basalt, CO 81621

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
22800 Two Rivers Road
Basalt, CO 81621

What's New

Fryingpan Fishing Brings in $3.8 Million Annually to Local Economy Learn More

Contact