Colorado
Williams Fork below Williams Fork Reservoir
Current River Rating
Fair · 52
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 97 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.5 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 09038500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
57°F
Feels like
52°F
Wind
2 mph SW
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 2 AM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 10 AM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 2 PM
Overcast
Temp 79°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 6 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 78°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 10 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 53°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 83°F / Low 55°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 54°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 31 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 46°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Bounded Williams Fork Reservoir tailwater. USGS 09038500 provides live discharge; live 00010 is not present, so thermal context uses the existing river-trout air-derived path. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Importance is the CPW special-regulated tailwater, not a Gold Medal or Quality Waters designation.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Williams Fork.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Williams Fork below Williams Fork Reservoir is a CPW special-regulated catch-and-release trout tailwater from the dam to the Colorado River. It is not labeled Gold Medal or Quality Waters. Monitoring-Backed conditions use live USGS discharge plus the accepted river-trout air-derived thermal path. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match remains unpublished for this identity after Option-B local-expert seasonal research. No two independent populated month windows for this tailwater.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CPW 2026 special regulations: Williams Fork Dam to Colorado River, flies/lures only, trout released. Not Gold Medal or Quality Waters.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CPW 2026 special regulations: Williams Fork Dam to Colorado River, flies/lures only, trout released. Not Gold Medal or Quality Waters.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Short public tailwater below Williams Fork Dam, flies and lures only, catch-and-release trout under the 2026 brochure.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public tailwater access below the dam is a Denver Water / CPW special-regulation fishery. Confirm current Denver Water and CPW postings. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point.
Stocking information
Confirm current official CPW stocking. Special regulations are not a live stocking claim.
Official sources
2026 Colorado Fishing Brochure: from Williams Fork Dam downstream to the Colorado River, artificial flies and lures only; all trout must be returned immediately. Not a Gold Medal or Quality Waters label.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Grand, Colorado
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Grand
Management Category
Special-regulated tailwater
Regulation Scope
Williams Fork tailwater from dam to Colorado River confluence
Regulation Summary
Williams Fork Dam to Colorado River: flies and lures only; catch-and-release trout.
Target Species
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
