A river of three moods: quick whitewater through Silverthorne, a seasonal Class III-IV canyon run above the reservoir, and a broad float corridor below Green Mountain Dam.
About the River
The Blue River originates near Breckenridge at about 9,000 feet and flows 71 miles north through Summit and Grand Counties before joining the Colorado River near Kremmling. The river's upper reach is impounded by Dillon Reservoir — a critical Denver Water supply — and again by Green Mountain Reservoir above Kremmling. Between and below these reservoirs, the Blue offers three distinct paddling experiences.
The Silverthorne Town Run is a short Class II-III stretch below Dillon Dam, where dam-release water cuts a tight channel through town. About eight miles further north on CO-9, the Blue River Campground to Columbine Landing run is the main whitewater section: a three-mile Class III-IV corridor that runs during spring snowmelt and dam releases. From Dillon Dam through Silverthorne and up to the reservoir, the corridor is prime wade-fishing water accessible from pull-offs along CO-9 throughout the season.
Below Green Mountain Dam, the Blue emerges through sagebrush canyon country for about 16 miles to the Colorado River. This is the Green Mountain Reach — a relaxed float-fishing section favored by anglers targeting brown trout in the tailwater below the dam. Take-out is at the Confluence River Access boat ramp on the Colorado near Kremmling.
Flow Guide
The table below shows recommended CFS ranges for fishing and floating. Status badges reflect the current reading from the gauge below Dillon Dam.
| Pursuit | Silverthorne Town Run | Upper Blue Whitewater | Green Mountain Reach |
|---|
* The Blue River below Dillon Dam is Gold Medal water — all fishing requires a valid Colorado fishing license. Flows throughout the corridor are controlled by Denver Water and Bureau of Reclamation dam releases.
Interactive Map
River Sections
Related Rivers
Check real-time flows at every station on the Blue before you head to the tailwater.