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Colorado | Grand Valley / Clifton to Grand Junction
Colorado RiverCorn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp
A guarded approximately 10-mile Class I/II Colorado River float from the CPW Corn Lake ramp through the Gunnison confluence to the public Redlands Parkway ramp, paired with USGS 09106485 above the confluence near Grand Junction.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A guarded public Corn Lake-to-Redlands Colorado River float with direct 09106485 telemetry near the take-out, conservative 810–30,000 cfs planning bounds and a 1,500–15,000 cfs preferred band, a mandatory confluence/29 Road hazard review, and no endpoint camping.
Access map
Put-in
Corn Lake State Park Colorado River boat rampUse the CPW Corn Lake southeast-corner river ramp and the City of Grand Junction Redlands Parkway/Blue Heron ramp only. Verify current hours, pass requirements, parking, construction, signs, and physical carry before launching.
Take-out
Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp / Blue Heron accessThe 09106485 station is above the Gunnison confluence. Do not treat its discharge as the downstream flow after the Gunnison joins; compare the Gunnison gauge and inspect the confluence line and downstream bridge hydraulics.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use the CPW Corn Lake southeast-corner river ramp and the City of Grand Junction Redlands Parkway/Blue Heron ramp only. Verify current hours, pass requirements, parking, construction, signs, and physical carry before launching.
- The 09106485 station is above the Gunnison confluence. Do not treat its discharge as the downstream flow after the Gunnison joins; compare the Gunnison gauge and inspect the confluence line and downstream bridge hydraulics.
- Do not use the guide’s informal bridge scramble, private banks, canal edges, or Connected Lakes trail as an improvised endpoint. If the named Redlands ramp is closed or blocked, treat the route as unavailable unless a separately verified lawful take-out is selected.
- No private-bank landing, island stop, or camping is authorized by this route. Stage the shuttle legally and finish within the public ramp and park hours.
Watch for
- USGS 09106485 below 810 cfs, above 30,000 cfs, rapidly changing, unavailable, or inconsistent with the Gunnison contribution and actual river conditions
- Gunnison confluence waves, the 29 Road rapid, bridge hydraulics, low-water rocks/gravel bars, strainers, floating debris, cold water, high-water trail impacts, and private-bank temptations
- PFD and equipment failures, city/CPW flags or closures, CPW vehicle-pass rules, Redlands ramp parking/carry, daylight, and failure to reach the mandatory take-out
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Colorado River above Gunnison River at Grand Junction, CO. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Colorado River above Gunnison River at Grand Junction, CO |
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| Air temp | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 1,500 cfs to 15,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 810 cfs |
| High threshold | 30,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Grand Junction town-run planning band: 810 cfs conservative low-water stop; 1,500 cfs minimum recommended; 3,000–15,000 cfs optimal; 30,000 cfs maximum recommended |
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NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named public corridorCorn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp; approximately 10 miles; Class I/II
The Colorado Mesa guide names the section, put-in, take-out, distance, and Class I/II rating. GVORC independently lists Corn Lake to Las Colonias and the downstream Grand Valley access network; this route uses the longer named Redlands Parkway endpoint from the guide.
- Direct live gauge and threshold gateUSGS 09106485 above Gunnison; 810 cfs conservative floor, 1,500–15,000 cfs preferred, 30,000 cfs high-water stop
USGS identifies continuous discharge and gage-height data at 09106485 above the Gunnison River. BoaterBeta publishes the broad Grand Junction town-run 1,500/3,000–15,000/30,000 cfs guidance, while the City documents a downstream river-park flow change below 810 cfs. These are conservative planning cues; the downstream Gunnison contribution must be checked separately.
- Lawful endpoint accessCPW Corn Lake river ramp to City of Grand Junction Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp
CPW confirms the Corn Lake river ramp and day-use rules; the City lists Redlands Parkway as a boat-ramp facility with parking directions. The mapped Redlands slipway is an additional coordinate anchor, not a substitute for current signs or closure checks.
- Safety boundaryClass I/II moving water with Gunnison-confluence waves, 29 Road rapid, bridge hydraulics, and mandatory Redlands take-out
The local guide documents confluence waves and the 29 Road rapid with prior rescue responses; City river-park guidance emphasizes current-dependent flags and life jackets. Preserve active scouting, PFD use, river-designed equipment, and a hard take-out before the route becomes unavailable.
- Camping and logisticsDay-use endpoints; no route camping; CPW Corn Lake no-camping rule applies
CPW identifies Corn Lake as day-use only and expressly prohibits camping. The Redlands ramp is a city facility without route-camping evidence; arrange separate lodging or a designated campground.
- Duplicate separationDistinct downstream Corn Lake-to-Redlands section using above-Gunnison 09106485
This route begins where the existing 09106150 Riverbend-to-Corn-Lake route ends and continues through the named Corn Lake-to-Redlands section. It uses the separate 09106485 station near the downstream endpoint and includes the Gunnison confluence/29 Road safety boundary.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Colorado Mesa University Corn Lake-to-Redlands guide
- Grand Valley paddle access network
- USGS 09106485 monitoring location
- USGS 09106485 current conditions
- BoaterBeta Grand Junction Town Run flow history
- CPW Corn Lake section and river ramp
- City of Grand Junction Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp
- City of Grand Junction Las Colonias river-park flow/safety guidance
- Mapped Redlands/Blue Heron concrete slipway
- USGS public-domain Grand Junction image
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
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Quick answers
Colorado River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Corn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp route on the Colorado River?
Paddle Today watches Colorado River above Gunnison River at Grand Junction, CO and treats 1,500 cfs to 15,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Corn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp route on the Colorado River start and end?
This route starts at Corn Lake State Park Colorado River boat ramp and ends at Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp / Blue Heron access, Approximately 10 river miles on the water.
Is the Corn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp route on the Colorado River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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