Voluntary Flow Management Program
Unlike any other river in Colorado, or in the entire western United States, the Arkansas River is fortunate to have what is known as the Voluntary Flow Management Program. (VFMP) The VFMP was first implemented in the early 1990’s as a means to keep the Arkansas River running at a flow conducive to a reasonable recreational experience for both commercial outfitters (rafting companies) and private boaters – defined as kayakers & those who own their own rafts – during the most popular period for recreational whitewater boating. From July 1st to August 15th each summer the VFMP provides for a flow of at least 700 cubic feet per second (CFS) at a place called Wellsville, which is the official measuring station for flows on the Arkansas River.
Other than flows for river rafting, the VFMP is also a wildlife management tool in the spring and fall months. The Arkansas River, which is the most popular river for rafting in the western U.S., is also one of the few fisheries in Colorado that supports a "native" Brown Trout population and is extremely popular with fly-fishermen. The largest component of the VFMP provides flows that support a healthy fishery and overall biomass for this incredible Brown Trout fishery. Operations most of the year, when possible, are such that that the spawn, incubation and hatch of fry and insects occur under optimal conditions relative to the flow of the Arkansas River. The weather can sometimes prohibit optimal operations for these purposes.
The VFMP is a cooperative agreement between Colorado State Parks, The Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Trout Unlimited (TU), the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (SECWCD), the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Arkansas River Outfitters Association (AROA). The United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) plays a key role in the operation of the VFMP, although they are not a signatory to the agreement. The BOR operates the reservoirs in Colorado and are responsible for the actual releasing of water that makes it all work. What makes this program possible is the cooperation, understanding and mutual respect between all these agencies and entities. The willingness of those involved to work together toward a mutual goal that involves a very divergent group of water owners, water providers, water users, municipalities and government agencies, has created a model for all rivers in the west that Colorado can be very proud of.
This unique management technique on the Arkansas River is only possible due to the fact that there are reservoirs upstream, near the actual headwaters of the Arkansas River, and a large reservoir downstream of where all river rafting occurs. Lake Pueblo is a very large storage facility, making it possible to capture the water that is released from the upper reservoirs to be used for municipal or agricultural purposes at a later date. Therefore, other than “transit losses” or evaporative losses of actual water, the VFMP is what is considered a non-consumptive use of water.
The annual operation the VFMP during the summer component in July and the first couple of weeks in August benefits not only rafting companies and private boaters, the VFMP helps to support the many communities and tax-collecting municipalities that not only benefit from a tourism based economy, but depend on tourism for their very survival. Possibly the most important benefit of the VFMP is the opportunity to serve the tourists/vacationers and local Colorado residents who flock to the Arkansas River and the many communities in its path to enjoy the scenic beauty, whitewater thrills, excellent family class rafting trips suitable for nearly anyone, and a world-class fishery for those inclined to dip a line and attempt to catch a trout.