2024 Uncompahgre River Classic Winners Announced
The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership (UWP) announced winners of the 2024 Uncompahgre River Classic at the Ridgway RiverFest on June 29. The peak flow of the Uncompahgre River (as measured between Ridgway and the Ridgway Reservoir) this year was on June 28 at 12:15 a.m. and was 1,380 cubic feet per second (cfs). It was an unusual date for a peak flow at that gauge station on the Uncompahgre River, and was attributed to the big rains at the end of June. The flow was 450 cfs more than last year (when it was a relatively high 930 cfs). The Uncompaghre River flow exceeded 1,380 only four times in the past 20 years.
The three Classic winners who predicted the closest date and time to the actual date and time of the peak flow on the Uncompahgre River were:
- Dana Wregglesworth came in 1st Place with a prediction of June 24 at 11:00 a.m., winning the Patagonia Black hole duffel, 70L (value: $199) and Patagonia fly fishing cap (value: $39)
- James McElrea came in 2nd place with his prediction of June 22 at 10:30 p.m., winning the Patagonia Black hole backpack, 25L, Belay Blue (value: $149)
- Marisa Murphy came in 3rd Place with her prediction June 18 at 4:30 p.m., winning a Yeti coffee mug (value: $25) donated by Voyage Books and RiverFest shirt or hat (value: $25)
Please note that peak flow guesses in the contest had to be between May 2 and June 28 so guesses of dates before or after those dates were not counted.
On behalf of the UWP Board and Staff, we thank everyone who entered the 2024 Uncompahgre River Classic, a fun way to raise awareness about the changes in streamflow in the watershed throughout the year, especially during spring-summer peak flows. See information posts about how streamflow impacts people and our environment.
