Managers of McPhee Reservoir are ramping up releases from the dam into the Dolores River.
Flows are scheduled to reach 4,000 cubic feet per second early Thursday morning and to continue at or above that peak level for 72 hours, through Saturday. After that, flows will decrease by 800 cfs a day until they level off at 800 to 1200 cfs. Those levels are considered boatable and should continue through May, depending on weather and inflows into the reservoir. Managers say the boatable flows may not last until June, so rafters are advised to seize the opportunity to get on the river as soon as possible.