Be Prepared

Much of what you need to know to be prepared is here but also check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Drinking Water

Planning water needs for a multi-day, desert river trip can be daunting. Group size, trip duration, and type of watercraft all contribute to the complexity. Hopefully the guidelines listed below will address your concerns.

You should plan a gallon of water per person per day of your trip. This guideline is meant as the amount of water consumed by each person daily to prevent health issues. The dry desert climate and intense sun conditions create an ideal environment for dehydration.

For shorter canoe trips (4-5 days) we suggest one 5 or 6 gallon water jug per person. This ensures you have adequate drinking water for your trip. Rigid water containers hold up better than collapsible containers to the rigors of desert travel.

For longer canoe trips (7+ days) we suggest one 5 or 6 gallon water container per person and extra water jugs as space allows. Any additional water will need to be settled and purified from the river.

For all smaller watercraft river trips (kayaks, SUPs, packarafts) we suggest using 2-gallon collapsible water containers and purified river water. We recommend the more durable dromedary bags made by MSR, or similar. Commonly acquired translucent water jugs do not stand up well to the desert environment.

Settling River Water

The Green and Colorado Rivers are very silty (think chocolate milk). Before purification, river water should be settled to remove as much sediment as possible. Plan to bring a few 5-gallon buckets or collapsible rubber buckets for water settling. Upon arrival in camp, simply fill your buckets with river water first and the sediment can settle while you are setting up camp or out exploring. River water is settled by allowing it to sit undisturbed for several hours. Water to be purified is then carefully removed from the top, leaving sediments behind. Water can also be more efficiently settled using alum. Watch the video from our friends at The Southwest Backpacker for more details: Settling silty water with alum

Water Purification Methods

There are two types of water purification: filtration and treatment. Filtration works by physically removing the organisms that cause illness using a micron screen. Filters work reasonably well once the silt has been settled. However, due to the silty nature of our rivers, any filtration system brought should be completely field serviceable.

Water treatment is where the disease-causing organisms in the water are eliminated instead of removed. The easiest, most common treatment method is boiling. Carefully pour settled river water into your cooking pot without agitating the sediment at the bottom of bucket and bring to a rolling boil for at least one minute. You can also treat river water with a variety of chemicals or tablets that are commercially available. These treatments work but often leave an undesirable aftertaste and require specific dosages and wait times depending on water temperature. A final treatment option is to use ultraviolet light to eliminate organisms. SteriPen is the most common brand, but these are costly and typically don’t work well in silty water applications.

More information on water purification can be found through the National Park Service here: Two Ways to Purify Water

Helpful Hints

Fruit juices, seltzer water, or other non-alcoholic beverages may be used to supplement your daily water needs. Alcoholic drinks deplete water from your body. In fact, alcohol consumption without increased water intake can lead to serious dehydration.
Another way to conserve potable water is to use settled river water when boiling water for hot drinks, pasta, or other meals. Simply bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to adding additional ingredients. Settled river water can also be used for dishes as long as the final rinse is treated with a cap full of household bleach for disinfection.
Water is most easily transported in lightweight plastic containers. Rigid containers are sturdier and less prone to leakage. Clear, collapsible water containers do not stand up to the rigors of desert travel. We rent 5 gallon water containers. They can be found here: Rental Rates

Maps

Safety

We recommend that people wear their life vests at all times. It is required by law that each person have a Type 3 life vest within reach. Children under 12 must wear a life vest while canoeing. All persons regardless of age are required by law to wear life vests while canoeing on the Colorado River below the confluence with the Green River.
To avoid the loss of equipment we advise the use of tie down lines to secure your gear inside the canoe at all times while canoeing.
A portable water vessel (bucket or pail) is required for bailing, settling river water or extinguishing campfires.
The importance of securing your unattended boat cannot be stressed enough. When leaving a canoe unattended for any length of time, always tie it with bow and stern lines to a secure tree, rock or other anchor point. Check the security of all lines before going to bed. Where possible it is best to pull canoes completely out of the water, even when taking short walks away from the river.
Do not canoe in high wind conditions. More parties capsize in high winds than in any other situation. If you are in a situation that leaves you no other options, then stay as near to the shoreline as possible. Otherwise, go ashore for safety.
Due to the possibility of flash floods, exercise extreme caution when selecting a campsite in or near side canyons. Never camp or leave your canoe unattended in a canyon drainage no matter how calm the weather may be.
When camped on a sand bar it is recommended that you place your camp away from the water's edge a minimum of 10 ft. Choose a sand bar that is 2 ft. or more above water level. Fluctuations in water level in the main river channel of more than 1 ft. in an overnight period are very rare.
It is required that you have a detailed river map in your possession at launch time.
In the event of a medical emergency or other such problem during your trip continue on to a pick-up point. Ground transportation is readily available at Ruby Ranch and Mineral Bottom. Jet boats are at the Confluence several days a week. Do not attempt to hike out for help. Seek out other canoers for help and communication of your emergency to outside resources. Cell phones do not work in this area. We rent satellite communication devices. They can be found at our rentals page.
We suggest that all swimmers wear a flotation device. State law requires persons swimming from a boat to wear a life vest.
Be aware of all water and sun hazards. Swim at your own risk. Never jump or dive into the river. Wear shoes at all times while swimming or bathing. Protect yourself from the sun with suitable clothing. Sun glasses, hats and sun screen are advised. The danger of abusing intoxicants is greatly increased in a wilderness setting.

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