Weather, Arkansas River conditions help rafting industry

Dangerously high levels in the Arkansas River did not negatively affect the whitewater rafting industry and now calmer conditions have kept business booming.

Ryan Giorgis, operations manager for Royal Gorge Rafting, said the river earlier this week fell to perfect levels, known as “love levels,” that have rafting at its peak.

“It’s also safer for a wider range of rafters,” Giorgis said. “It’s not running as high and fast as it was. We’re not scrutinizing as much.”

A wet spring and high levels of snowmelt brought the river to near-record levels but an increased awareness on safety contributed to far fewer rafting-related deaths than in 2014.

Giorgis said another factor in the industry’s successful season is that rafting through the Royal Gorge has resumed, after it stopped for five weeks because of high river levels.

Joe and Sharon Deiterman came from Texas to enjoy a rafting trip and said they were not overly concerned about safety.

“I was last here 30 years ago,” Joe Deiterman said. “I heard a few days ago that there were some deaths. But we’re not worried.”

It’s the first time rafting for Sharon Deiterman.

“I asked them if it would still be OK for someone like me who’s never done it, to do the Royal Gorge, and they said, ‘Yes,'” she said.

Dennis Wied, a Caon City councilman and businessman, said the industry’s success has also flowed into restaurants, motels and shops.

“We expected a 1.2 percent sales tax increase this year,” Wied said. “Our sales tax revenues are anywhere from 5 percent to 10 percent per month, up over last year’s numbers. It is a remarkably good year.”

Wied said the area’s recovery from the 2013 Royal Gorge Bridge and Park also has brought more visitors to the area.