Today’s much needed rain is the first measurable precipitation in over a month! The cloud cover and cool temperatures brought temporary relief, but rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are still flowing below average at 12-28% of normal for this time of year. As a reminder, an “average” flow will register at “100% of normal” meaning rivers are currently flowing about a quarter of normal for this time of year! Before today, Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches were issued in the watershed 18 consecutive days. In comparison, the watershed has an average of eight Red Flag Warnings issued in an entire year. Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties and all public lands are entering Stage 2 fire restrictions on Friday, June 26. A vital reminder for all river recreators to clean, drain, and dry your water gear after every use and before moving river to river to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species like the zebra mussel and New Zealand mudsnail, both of which are in local rivers.