There is an extremely dangerous obstruction on the Colorado River, right past 20 1/2 Road near Fruita.

If you are planning on rafting the Colorado River, between The Blue Heron Ramp on Redlands Parkway and the Fruita Ramp (near Rimrock Adventures), you need to be aware of there is an obstruction in the river. There was a group earlier this week who had to bail out of their raft, and the raft is still stuck on the tree!

I went rafting earlier this week and saw the area they are warning about. Basically, there is an island right around 20 1/2 road, called Bald Eagle Island (they named it that because there is two pair of mating bald eagles that hang there). The river forks at the island and to the left side several giant cottonwood trees have fallen into the river.

These are giant trees, and they are a death trap to even experienced rafters. They will suck your raft under them, and anyone on the raft along with it.

The river is moving at almost 8,000 Cubic feet per second, which is enough to suck you right under the tree and any branches or sticks in the way will go right through you.

However, there is a very simple way to stay safe, just stay to the right. I rafted the path to the right last Thursday, it was smooth and although a little shallow, we had no problems.

I went ahead and pulled up a map of the area and marked the obstruction and noted a safe path.

If in doubt, talk to one of the commercial/professional companies that navigate the river in the area on a daily basis. Someone like Rimrock Adventures.

Dangerious Obstructions On The Colorado River
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As an avid recreational river lover, I want to remind you to please only use professional, quality equipment if you're going on the river. Don't use cheap, inflatable toys or inner tubes, as they are not designed for use in these conditions.

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