Rivers rise as mountain snowmelt reaches peak

Stream and river flows are expected to rise significantly this weekend with some rivers peaking early next week.

The snowpack in the Colorado Rockies is more than double what it normally is for the second day of June. The snow/water equivalent is 221 percent of normal statewide. The snow that still exists in the beginning of June, typically melts off by the end of the month. 

Fire Departments are asking you to use caution and appropriate gear in and around local rivers. The Vail Fire Department spent the day in the Eagle River doing swift-water rescue training exercises.

The Eagle River is forecast to rise nearly a foot over the next 5 days. There are no flood alerts on any of Colorado's rivers as of Thursday evening. 

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued a hydrologic outlook on Thursday.

They say rising maximum and minimum temperatures will lead to an increase in snowmelt from the high mountains over the next few days. The Yampa, Green and Elk Rivers will increase to near bankfull stage late this weekend and continue to rise early next week. River flows will also rise along the Upper Colorado River Basin. River levels in Gore Creek and the Crystal River will reach near bankfull by early next week.