Blue River
🥇 Gold Medal
Summit Co. · 65 mi · Class I–III
37.5CFS/ 4.38 ft
Below Optimal
Stable
Water temp: 40°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 200–1500 CFS · USGS #09046600
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
65 mi
Length
Class I–III
Difficulty
200–1500 cfs
Optimal
450 cfs
Avg Flow
400 cfs
Hist. Median
#09046600
USGS Gauge
Colorado Gold Medal Trout Water · White River National Forest

The Blue River flows north from Breckenridge through Summit County to its confluence with the Colorado near Kremmling. Designated Gold Medal trout water by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Blue below Dillon Reservoir is one of the state"s premier tailwater fisheries, producing trophy brown and rainbow trout. The cold, consistent dam releases create year-round paddling and fishing opportunities.

Trip sections
Breckenridge to Dillon Reservoir — Class I–II, mountain headwaters
Below Dillon Dam to Green Mountain Reservoir — Class I–II, Gold Medal tailwater
Green Mountain to Colorado River — Class II–III, canyon run
Outfitters
Breckenridge Outfitters
Blue River guided fishing and float trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.