>> FUNDING FOR "A WALK IN THE PARK" HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY... ROCKY MOUNTAIN GATEWAY -- INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION, SHOPPING AND DINING AT THE FALL RIVER ENTRANCE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

AND KIRKS FLY SHOP, WHERE KIRK AND LAURIE OFFER A FULL PRO LINE FLY SHOP AND GUIDING COMPANY, LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL ESTES PARK, COLORADO.

Kirksflyshop.com.

RAMS HORN VILLAGE RESORT.

RENTAL AND VACATION-OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

Ramshornvillageresort.com.

AND THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY.

Sustainabletourism.org.

>> HI.

I'M NICK MOLLé, AND THIS TIME ON "A WALK IN THE PARK," WE'RE GONNA DO SOME WALKING, BUT WE'RE ALSO GONNA DO SOME PADDLING.

SEE, THIS SHOW'S ABOUT RIVERS, AND WE'RE GONNA TALK A LOT ABOUT THE BIG THOMPSON AND COLORADO RIVERS AND THEIR UNLIKELY CONNECTION.

WELL, RIGHT HERE IS WHERE THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER FLOWS INTO LAKE ESTES IN ESTES PARK, COLORADO.

WELL, IT FORMS THIS LAKE BECAUSE OF A FEW ALTERATIONS.

WELL, WHAT IS IT ABOUT HUMAN NATURE THAT MAKES US LIKE TO ALTER THINGS?

WELL, SOME MIGHT SAY THAT HUMAN NATURE IS AN OXYMORON.

OTHERS WOULD SAY, "WELL, WE'RE REALLY NO DIFFERENT FROM THE BEAVERS.

WE'RE JUST PART OF THE BIG PICTURE."

THE ROCKIES -- THAT GRAND MOUNTAIN RANGE RUNNING NORTH/SOUTH THROUGH THE AMERICAN WEST.

IT IS HERE THAT WE FIND WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE GREAT DIVIDE -- NOT POLITICS, RELIGION, OR RELATIONSHIPS.

THIS IS THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, WHERE WATER FLOWS EITHER EAST OR WEST, CREATING A DEFINITIVE LINE OF DEMARCATION.

ALTHOUGH NO QUESTION OF ITS EXISTENCE, THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE OF CONTROL.

AS IT PLAYS OUT IN THE AMERICAN WEST, IT CUTS ACROSS THE WILD LANDS OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

IT CAN AND HAS BEEN ALTERED BY GEOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES.

AN EARTH TREMOR OR LANDSLIDE, TREE ROOTS, OR A FAMILY OF BEAVERS CAN ALL HAVE AN IMPACT.

HUMANS HAVE HAD AN IMPACT -- SOMETIMES CARELESS, CAREFUL, SOMETIMES THOUGHTFUL, AND AT TIMES INGENIOUS.

THERE ARE MANY RIVERS FLOWING OUT OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

WE WILL NOW VISIT THOSE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND THE BIOSYSTEMS THEY SUPPORT.

WE WILL SEE HOW DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS HAVE ALTERED AND AFFECTED THEIR FLOW, EVEN AT THEIR VERY SOURCE.

IN PARTICULAR, WE WILL EXAMINE THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER, FLOWING EAST, AND THE COLORADO RIVER, FLOWING WEST, AND REVEAL THEIR SURPRISING CONNECTION.

ALONG THE WAY, WE WILL VISIT THE ANIMALS THAT OWE THEIR EXISTENCE TO THE LIFE ZONES CREATED BY THESE GREAT WATERWAYS.

AS LONG AS THE ROCKIES CONTINUE TO CATCH THE CLOUDS, THEY WILL DELIVER WATER TO THE EAST AND TO THE WEST.

WE WILL BEGIN ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE DIVIDE.

REARRANGING NATURE'S HANDIWORK IS CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT'S UNIQUE TO HUMAN BEINGS.

SO, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?

WELL, IF WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT WATER AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, THERE'S ONE ANIMAL THAT'S PLAYED AN UNDENIABLE ROLE IN THE STORY -- INDUSTRIOUS, WITH A WORK ETHIC TO BE ENVIED.

AND THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE UNIONS -- I DON'T THINK.

FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, BEAVERS HAVE BEEN A VITAL PART OF THESE WATERY, SCIENTIFICALLY NAMED RIPARIAN LIFE ZONES.

IN THE 1800s, EURO-AMERICAN FUR TRADERS FOUND THEM TO BE A VITAL PART OF THEIR ECONOMICS.

YOU SEE, BECAUSE OF THESE TRADERS, THE IMPACT OF THE BEAVER WAS FELT IN EASTERN CITIES -- FELT HATS, FELT COATS.

BEAVERS ARE DETERMINED.

ONCE THEY MAKE UP THEIR MIND, THEY GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF REARRANGING FOREST AND MEADOW.

WHEN THEY FIND A SUITABLE STREAM, THEY BEGIN CUTTING AND PLACING AN ARRANGEMENT OF AVAILABLE LUMBER IN AN INTERLOCKED FASHION TO CREATE A DAM.

THE DAM CAN BE A FEW OR MANY METERS LONG.

EVENTUALLY, THESE DAMS RESULT IN PONDS.

AS THE SOIL AROUND THE PONDS BECOME SATURATED, IT SUPPORTS THE GROWTH OF THE TYPES OF PLANT LIFE THAT BEAVERS LIKE TO EAT.

IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE CORRECT WATER DEPTH SUITABLE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL LODGE.

CUTTING DOWN LARGE ASPEN TREES WHILE BUILDING THEIR PONDS, BEAVERS ENJOY THE TASTY AND NUTRITIOUS BARK IN THE PROCESS.

EVENTUALLY, WHEN THE TREE FALLS, THEY WILL STRIP THE REST OF THE BARK AND MUNCH ON THE BRANCHES AND TWIGS.

BECAUSE OF SUNLIGHT AND THE PROCESS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS, TREES TEND TO LEAN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE OPEN AREA ABOVE THE STEAM.

THEY HOPEFULLY FALL THAT WAY.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS GO EXACTLY AS PLANNED, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THESE LARGE RODENTS/SMALL LUMBERJACKS MEET WITH SUCCESS.

AS WITH ANY COMPLEX SOCIAL STRUCTURE, COMMUNICATION IS CRITICAL FOR SURVIVAL.

ONE TECHNIQUE IS A SIGNATURE SOUND.

THE BROAD, FLAT TAIL SO USEFUL FOR SWIMMING PROVIDES A PERFECT ALERT SIGNAL.

WHEN A COYOTE, MOUNTAIN LION, BEAR, OR ODD-LOOKING FILMMAKER IS DETECTED, ONE GOOD SLAP, AND IT'S EVERYONE BACK IN THE POOL, WHERE THEY CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES AND SURFACE GOD KNOWS WHERE.

TRUST ME -- I KNOW.

BEAVERS LIVE IN FAMILIES -- MOMS, DADS, KIDS, GRANDMAS, GRANDPAS, AUNTS, UNCLES, COUSINS.

SOUNDS CROWDED.

AND WHEN IT GETS THAT WAY, THEY MOVE SOME OF THE RELATIVES TO A NEARBY LOCATION, AND THUS THE PROCESS OF RECYCLING MEADOWS AND FORESTS CONTINUES.

BEAVERS ARE, IN A LARGE PART, RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SETTLEMENTS IN THE GLORIOUS AMERICAN WEST, BUT THEY ALMOST PAID FOR THAT WITH EXTINCTION.

THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS REPAY THEM BY GRANTING THEM THE RIGHT TO EXIST AS PARTNERS IN OUR BIOSYSTEMS.

WHAT DOES A LARGE BARGE BEING PUSHED ALONG DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAVE TO DO WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS?

IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT IT IS FLOATING ON SOME OF THE WATER FROM OUR BEAVER PONDS.

YOU SEE, THAT LITTLE STREAM EVENTUALLY LED INTO THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER, WHICH MADE IT TO THE SOUTH PLATTE AND ON TO THE PLATTE AND INTO THE MISSOURI, WHICH MEETS UP WITH THE MISSISSIPPI.

THIS SYSTEM OF RIVERS IS WHAT ALLOWED 19th-CENTURY MOUNTAIN MEN AND WOMEN ACCESS TO THE BENEFITS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THAT.

THEY HAD TO GO UPSTREAM.

HOW DID THEY DO THAT?

WELL, IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN EASY.

WHEW!

AND WHERE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, THEY HAD TO CARRY THEIR CANOE OR OTHER CRAFT.

THE WAY BACK MAY HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT EASIER -- THAT IS, IF YOU DIDN'T FLY OFF A WATERFALL OR GET LOST IN THE MARSHES FURTHER DOWNSTREAM IN WHAT IS NOW NEBRASKA.

ISN'T IT INTERESTING THAT SO MANY OF THE THINGS WE DO TODAY FOR RECREATION EVOLVED OUT OF WHAT WAS ONCE A MEANS OF SURVIVAL OR MAKING A LIVING?

IT IS SOMEWHERE IN THAT CONNECTION THAT WE FIND THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRESERVE OUR NATURAL INHERITANCE.

HERE THE POUDRE RIVER IS FINDING ITS WAY DOWN THE POUDRE CANYON TO EASTERN COLORADO.

UNDAMMED FROM ITS START, THIS BEAUTIFUL STREAM IS ONE OF THE LAST GREAT REMAINING WILD RIVERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE POUDRE, PROPERLY KNOWN AS THE CACHE LA POUDRE, AND THE BIG THOMPSON ARE TWO OF THE RIVERS FLOWING EAST IN NORTHERN COLORADO THAT ORIGINATE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

THE TRIBUTARIES THAT HELP CREATE THESE RIVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE MOST SCENIC DESTINATIONS IN THE NATIONAL PARK.

IT'S THESE DESTINATIONS THAT ALLOW VISITORS THE ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCED IN THE PRESENCE OF NATURAL PHENOMENON.

ON ITS WAY TO THE BIG THOMPSON, GLACIER CREEK FLOWS THROUGH GLACIER GORGE, DROPPING DRAMATICALLY OVER AWESOME ALBERTA FALLS.

ANOTHER CONTRIBUTOR SHADOWS OLD FALL RIVER ROAD.

AT ITS UPPER REACHES, FALL RIVER, WITH ITS CHASM FALLS, IS PREPARING FOR ITS JOURNEY EAST.

FURTHER SOUTH, IN AN AREA APPROPRIATELY NAMED WILD BASIN, OUZEL CREEK GIVES US OUZEL FALLS, REPRESENTING ANOTHER LINK BETWEEN THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND THE DISTANT MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

IT ALSO REPRESENTS A LINK BETWEEN OUR SPIRIT AND THE NATURAL WORLD.

WATER FROM OUZEL FALLS IS THEN JOINED BY FINCH CREEK'S CALYPSO CASCADES, AND THEN IT'S ON TO NORTH ST. VRAIN CREEK, WHICH EVENTUALLY BECOMES THE ST. VRAIN RIVER ON ITS WAY TO THE PLATTE AND, OF COURSE, THE MISSISSIPPI.

NOW, IF WE WERE TO ASK A PARK RANGER, "JUST WHERE DOES ALL THIS RIVER BUSINESS BEGIN?"

THEY'D PROBABLY TELL US TO TAKE A HIKE.

A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN OUR HIKE WOULD BE THE BEAR LAKE TRAILHEAD.

IT'S AN OLD PLAY ON WORDS, BUT WE NEED TO GET HIGH TO APPRECIATE THE MAKINGS OF THIS WATERSHED.

MOSQUITOS AND SNOW AREN'T ALWAYS CONNECTED IN THE MINDS OF SOME PEOPLE, BUT ANYONE WHO'S HIKED HIGH ALPINE LOCATIONS WILL DRAW THE CONNECTION.

ONE OF THE COOLEST CRITTERS LIVING 2 MILES ABOVE SEA LEVEL IS THE PIKA.

COOLED BY ALTITUDE, THESE ELUSIVE LITTLE BEASTS ARE BEING MONITORED BY RESEARCHERS.

WHEN ANNUAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURES RISE, THEY MOVE TO HIGHER ELEVATION FOR A SUITABLE HABITAT, AND THERE IS A LIMIT.

THE EFFORT TO REACH THE SOURCES OF OUR RIVERS IS PLEASANTLY REWARDED WITH PATCHES OF WILD FLOWERS, LIKE THE INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, AND STIMULATING SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF MINI CASCADES OF CRYSTAL-CLEAR H2O.

AT ABOUT 4 MILES INTO THE HIKE A DRAMATIC DEMONSTRATION OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE SCORES HIGH ON THE WOW METER.

IF THESE SPECTACULAR VIEWS DON'T SLOW DOWN THE MOST DETERMINED HIKERS, PERHAPS THE SIGHT OF A HANDSOME SNOWSHOE HARE WILL.

GLACIALLY CARVED DEPRESSIONS, LIKE ODESSA LAKE, CATCH AND RELEASE THE WATER.

WE KNOW THAT MOST RIVERS HAVE THEIR OFFICIAL SOURCE.

FOR INSTANCE, THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER STARTS SOMEWHERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT RIDGE.

BUT UP THIS HIGH IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, THESE LITTLE STREAMS AND RIVULETS THAT COME OFF OF THESE SNOWFIELDS AND GLACIERS -- THEY ALL PLAY A PART IN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

AND RIGHT HERE IN ODESSA GORGE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL ODESSA LAKE, WHICH BECOMES FERN CREEK.

FERN CREEK EVENTUALLY BECOMES FERN LAKE, AND, AFTER THAT, FERN CREEK WILL BECOME A HEALTHY PART OF THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WILDLIFE THAT'S SUPPORTED BY THESE WETLANDS, WE OFTEN THINK OF THE FURRY CRITTERS AND THE BIG HOOFED CRITTERS, BUT WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT THE TROUT.

THE ENDANGERED GREENBACK CUTTHROAT TROUT JUST THRIVES IN THESE LAKES.

THE GREENBACK TROUT BECAME ENDANGERED BECAUSE OF OVERFISHING AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES.

NOW A SUCCESS STORY IS EMERGING, AS PROPER MANAGEMENT HAS ALLOWED THESE COLORFUL GIFTS FROM NATURE TO ONCE AGAIN POPULATE THE HEADWATERS OF THESE RIVERS.

AS WE INGEST THE ATMOSPHERE HERE AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, THE WORDS "INTENSE" AND "FRAGILE" BOTH FIND A SEAT AT THE TABLE OF OUR THOUGHTS.

IF SOMEDAY YOU FEEL SO INCLINED, SO TO SPEAK, AND WANT TO SEE THIS RUGGED SECTION OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE UP CLOSE, FIND SOME ADVENTURESOME FRIENDS AND TAKE THE FLATTOP MOUNTAIN TRAIL TO THE TOP, TURN RIGHT AT THE TONAHUTU, AND TAKE IT TO THE EDGE -- BUT NOT TOO CLOSE.

HIKING ON A REMOTE SECTION OF THE TUNDRA AT 12,000 FEET IS ONE OF THOSE HAVE-TO-BE-THERE EXPERIENCES.

AND YOU'LL WANT TO WALK ON.

BUT YOU BETTER KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

BACK DOWN AT ODESSA LAKE, WE ARE NOW FOLLOWING FERN CREEK TO FERN LAKE, ANOTHER POPULAR HIKING DESTINATION IN THE NATIONAL PARK.

AS IT LEAVES FERN LAKE, THE CREEK FINDS A FEW ALTITUDE ALTERATIONS.

WATERFALLS, CONVERSELY, ARE SOMEWHAT OF A LIFT FOR HIKERS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, AND THESE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS, AS THEY SHARE THEIR ENERGY AND WHAT I LIKE TO THINK OF AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL HYDROPOWER PLANT.

WELL, THIS IS FERN FALLS BELOW FERN LAKE, AND IT'S HERE THAT FERN CREEK STARTS FLEXING ITS MUSCLES ON ITS WAY TO EARNING ITS KEEP AS PART OF THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER.

THE CLASSIC FLOWER OF COLORADO, THE COLUMBINE, IS A BENEFACTOR OF THE MOIST SOIL ON THE BANKS OF FERN CREEK.

WELL, THIS IS THE POOL.

IT'S QUITE REFRESHING.

THIS IS WHERE FERN CREEK FINALLY MEETS UP WITH THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER.

PREPARING FOR ITS JOURNEY EAST, THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER WILL PASS THROUGH THE MORAINE PARK SECTION OF THE NATIONAL PARK.

THE HEALTHY WILLOWS, ASPENS, MOUNTAIN MAPLES, BIRCHES, COTTONWOODS, AND PINES EXPLOIT THE MOISTURE.

ANY BIRDER SCANNING THE BRANCHES WOULD BE SHOCKED TO FIND THIS IN THEIR BINOCULARS.

URSUS AMERICANUS, THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR, IS A FREQUENT VISITOR TO THIS COMBINATION RIPARIAN AND MONTANE ECOSYSTEM.

ANYONE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SPOT A BEAR IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK SHOULD TREAT THE TREASURED EXPERIENCE WITH RESPECT.

EXHILARATED BY THE EVENT, IT WOULD BE EASY TO FORGET THAT THIS MOTHER AND HER CUB ARE WILD AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.

PRUDENT OBSERVATION FROM A SAFE DISTANCE WILL NOT STRESS THE OBSERVED NOR THE OBSERVER.

BLACK BEARS COME IN BLACK, BROWN, CINNAMON, AND SEVERAL SHADES IN BETWEEN.

IN THIS CASE, THE CUB IS CLOSER TO BLACK, AND THE MOM IS A BIT ON THE BROWN SIDE.

BEARS ARE A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THIS ECOSYSTEM.

WE CAN SEE THAT THAT CONTINUES BY FOLLOWING NATIONAL PARK GUIDELINES FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.

WELL, WE'D LIKE THESE BEARS TO STAY HERE IN MORAINE PARK, BUT THERE'S NO STOPPING THE BIG THOMPSON.

IT'S ROLLING INTO TOWN.

THIS IS THE RIVERWALK IN DOWNTOWN ESTES PARK.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL, ISN'T IT?

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT WAS THE RESULT OF A FLOOD?

AND IT WASN'T THE BIG THOMPSON.

YOU SEE, THIS IS WHERE FALL RIVER FLOWS INTO THE BIG THOMPSON.

IT WAS IN 1982, AT 5:30 ON A SUMMER MORNING, THAT AN EARTHEN DAM ON LAWN LAKE, ABOUT 6 MILES INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, GAVE WAY AFTER YEARS OF UNDETECTED EROSION.

74 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE RELEASED FROM LAWN LAKE AND SENT DOWN ROARING RIVER.

HUGE BOULDERS TUMBLED DOWN THE CANYON TO THE CONFLUENCE WITH FALL RIVER.

THE LAWN LAKE FLOOD WAS HEADED FOR TOWN.

IT WAS A TRAGEDY WHERE THREE CAMPERS WERE DROWNED.

WARNING FROM A LOCAL RESIDENT BARELY PRECEDED A WALL OF WATER AND MUD THAT SWEPT THROUGH DOWNTOWN ESTES PARK.

THIS HUMAN-CAUSED FLOOD CARVED THROUGH AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE ENJOY THE NOW TAME WATERS.

THE BUSINESS OF ACCOMMODATING VISITORS TO THIS REGION HAS EXISTED FOR OVER A CENTURY.

WE MENTIONED EARLIER HOW RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OFTEN EVOLVED FROM SURVIVAL NECESSITIES.

WELL, TOURISM BEGAN IN THE ROCKIES AS EARLY AS THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY, WHEN MOUNTAIN MEN METAMORPHOSED INTO GUIDES.

PERHAPS WE COULD SAY IT BEGAN EARLIER, WHEN NATIVE AMERICANS -- THE ARAPAHO AND UTE -- WOULD VISIT REMOTE MOUNTAIN DESTINATIONS TO ENRICH THEIR SPIRIT.

NOW THE WATER FLOWING SERENELY INTO LAKE ESTES REMINDS US THAT WE OFTEN FIND PEACE IN THE PRESENCE OF RIVERS.

BACK UPSTREAM, AN AREA FOREVER ALTERED BY THE FLOODWATERS OF LAWN LAKE IS NOW KNOWN AS THE ALLUVIAL FAN.

IT IS HERE THAT WE CAN WITNESS THE TENACITY OF LIFE IN A BIOSYSTEM THAT SIMPLY REFUSED TO QUIT.

LAWN LAKE WAS NOT THE ONLY DISASTROUS FLOOD TO IMPACT THE AREA, AND IT ACTUALLY PALED WHEN COMPARED TO ANOTHER.

THIS IS A LOWER STRETCH OF THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER, HEADING DOWN THE BIG THOMPSON CANYON ON ITS WAY TO EASTERN COLORADO.

AND AT THIS POINT, IT'S A RELATIVELY TRANQUIL, BEAUTIFUL, VERY POPULAR TROUT STREAM.

BUT IT WASN'T ALWAYS THIS WAY.

THERE WAS AN UNEASINESS IN THE AIR ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 31, 1976, AS A MASSIVE STORM WAS DEVELOPING IN THE SKIES OVER THE BIG THOMPSON CANYON.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ] THE AREA IS KNOWN FOR ITS AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS, BUT THIS WAS DIFFERENT.

A ONCE-IN-300-YEAR CATASTROPHE WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

UP TO 14 INCHES OF RAIN FELL IN LESS THAN FOUR HOURS, CAUSING A MASSIVE FLOOD TO TEAR DOWN THE CANYON.

144 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES.

THE BIG THOMPSON FLOOD WAS CONSIDERED A NATURAL DISASTER.

THE RAIN FELL EAST AND DOWNSTREAM OF LAKE ESTES.

THE DAM WAS NEVER IN DANGER.

WHY IS THERE A DAM HERE?

WE'LL GET BACK TO THAT LATER.

STILL FOCUSING ON THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER, BUT ON ITS BEAUTY RATHER THAN ITS DEVASTATION, THE LANDSCAPES THAT IT AND ITS TRIBUTARIES PROVIDE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK ARE NATURAL WONDERS AND NATIONAL TREASURES.

MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL PLACES ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS.

BUT THAT IS THE ROLE OF OUR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND THEY DO A MASTERFUL JOB.

IF WE RETURN TO MORAINE PARK, WE CAN SEE THIS MANAGEMENT IN ACTION.

IT'S TIME TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

ESTES PARK IS A TOWN.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK IS, WELL, A NATIONAL PARK.

MORAINE PARK IS ONE OF MANY AREAS LABELED BY EARLY EXPLORERS AS A PARK, MEANING A RELATIVELY FLAT AREA SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS.

HERE IN MORAINE PARK, THERE'S A SITUATION THAT'S BEING STUDIED BY RESEARCHERS CONCERNING TWO SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY CANDIDATES -- THE BEAVER AND THE ELK.

SEEMS THAT THE HIGH POPULATION OF ELK HAS ALTERED THE ENVIRONMENT JUST ENOUGH TO CAUSE SOME DISAPPOINTMENT AMONG THE BEAVER POPULATIONS.

BEAVERS USED TO BE NUMEROUS HERE, BUT AN OVERPOPULATION OF THE MUCH ADMIRED ELK MAY BE CAUSING PRESSURE ON THE WILLOWS SO NEEDED BY BEAVERS.

PARK MANAGEMENT IS NOW DISPERSING, OR ENCOURAGING, SOME OF THE ELK, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT, TO FIND SOME ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATE PLACES AND GIVE THE BEAVERS A BIT OF A BREAK.

IN SEEKING TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN THE ELK AND THE BEAVER, PARK MANAGERS HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE WETLAND BIOSYSTEMS WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO THRIVE.

AS THE BIG THOMPSON FLOWS THROUGH MORAINE PARK, IT CREATES FERTILE GROUND FOR MANY ANIMALS, INCLUDING COYOTES, LIKE THIS MOM OUT PROVIDING FOR HER PUPS.

SUCCESS WILL COME WITH PERSISTENCE.

IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH GROUND A COYOTE COVERS IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WITH THEIR CLASSIC TROTTING STYLE.

IF NECESSARY, A BURST OF ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR IS A POSSIBILITY.

SKILLS INCLUDING MANUAL DEXTERITY WILL PRODUCE RESULTS.

POLITE TABLE ETIQUETTE WILL NOT WORK -- NOT WHEN INVADING MAGPIES APPEAR, LOOKING TO STEAL A MORSEL.

AFTER ADDING A BIT OF AN INSULT, IT'S OFF FOR MORE HUNTING.

OTHER PREDATORS IN THESE WATERY PARKS -- FLAT AREAS SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS -- INCLUDE FOXES... AND BADGERS, WHO SEEM TO HAVE FOUND A LITTLE TIME FOR RECREATION.

IT'S A COURAGEOUS OR DEFIANT GROUND SQUIRREL THAT CHOOSES TO HANG OUT ON A BADGER DEN.

"BADGERS?

WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BADGERS."

SORRY.

JUST HAD TO DO THAT.

WHEN YOU COMBINE A MONTANE MOUNTAIN LIFE ZONE WITH A RIPARIAN, OR WATERY, LIFE ZONE, LIFE THRIVES, AS IT DOES ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF MORAINE PARK.

I NEVER GET TIRED OF GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRRELS, ESPECIALLY OUT HERE AWAY FROM TOWN AND THEIR PEANUT-ADDICTED COUNTERPARTS.

AND HERE WE CAN CROSS PATHS WITH COTTONTAILS... AND CATCH A LUCKY GLIMPSE OF A WOODPECKER.

MARMOTS ARE FOUND AT VARIOUS ELEVATIONS IN THE NATIONAL PARK, INCLUDING HERE.

IF YOU THINK THIS MOM HAS PLENTY ON HER HANDS WITH THESE TWO YOUNGSTERS, THINK AGAIN.

NEARBY CUB LAKE PROVIDES A HABITAT FOR NUMEROUS WETLAND CREATURES, INCLUDING MUSKRATS.

THESE LITTLE HERBIVORES LIVE IN THE BANKS OF LAKES AND RIVERS AND ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE BEAVERS, AND THEIR SKINNY TAILS GO BACK AND FORTH RATHER THAN UP AND DOWN.

DUCKS FIND A HOME HERE, AS DOES A SOMETIMES UNEXPECTED SLITHERY CRITTER.

NOT KNOWN FOR ITS SNAKES, THE HIGH ROCKY MOUNTAINS HAVE ONE DELIGHTFUL INHABITANT THAT THRIVES ALONG THESE RIVERS AND LAKES.

OKAY.

SO, WE'RE HIKING ALONG HERE IN ONE OF THE REALLY NICE MEADOWS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

I CAME UPON MY FRIEND HERE.

I'VE SEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE GUYS HERE IN THE PARK.

THIS IS A GARTER SNAKE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF SNAKES, AND, AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT TO BE AFRAID OF WITH THIS GUY.

THERE ARE NO POISONOUS SNAKES UP HERE IN THE NATIONAL PARK.

THEY STOP AT AROUND 6,000 FEET, IS THEIR ELEVATION LIMIT.

BUT WE SURE HAVE PLENTY OF THESE GUYS.

AND HE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

AND YOU LET ME PICK YOU UP.

OKAY.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE ELK IN MORAINE PARK AND THEIR DEPENDENCY ON THE VEGETATION FED BY THE WATERS OF THE BIG THOMPSON.

THIS TRADEMARK RESIDENT OF THE ROCKIES IS A VERY LARGE MEMBER OF THE DEER FAMILY.

THESE 750-POUND-OR-MORE BULLS WILL GROW HUGE NEW ANTLERS EVERY YEAR.

GROWING RAPIDLY, THEY ARE COVERED IN A VELVETY SKIN MOST OF THE SUMMER AND ARE TOO SENSITIVE TO BE USED FOR MUCH MORE THAN SCRATCHING AN ITCH.

AS THE VELVET WEARS OFF AND HORMONES KICK IN, THINGS CHANGE.

IN AUTUMN, AS THE RIVERS RUN THINNER, WAITING FOR A REPLENISHING WINTER, THE CLACKING OF ANTLERS AND THE SOUNDS OF BUGLING IS A SIGN THAT THE RUT, OR MATING SEASON, IS UNDER WAY.

NOW, A BIG BULL ELK MAY BE RELATIVELY DOCILE AT OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR, BUT DURING THE RUT, SOMETIMES THEY WAKE UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE WALLOW.

AND WHEN THERE'S AN ATTRACTIVE LADY AROUND, IT'S BEST TO GIVE THEM THEIR SPACE.

AUTUMN IS A SPECIAL TIME ALONG THE RIVERS OF THE ROCKIES.

THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS SURPASS CLICHéS AS THEY PERMEATE OUR BEING, AND THE LANDSCAPES PATIENTLY AWAIT THE SNOWS OF WINTER.

ARRIVING EARLY IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, IT IS WINTER THAT DETERMINES THE CREATION AND CONTINUATION OF THE FLOW OF OUR RIVERS.

THE ANNUAL SNOWPACK IS CRITICAL TO OUR WATER SUPPLY.

WE'VE MENTIONED SNOWFIELDS AND GLACIERS.

WELL, THIS IS WHERE THEY ARE CREATED.

ALTHOUGH VARIATIONS OCCUR EVERY YEAR, INCLUDING CYCLES OF DROUGHT, ALL OF THE LIFE ZONES IN THE PARK DEPEND ON THE COLD AND THE PRECIPITATION.

YOU KNOW, THE GREAT RIVERS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE WEST ARE DEPENDENT ON ONE THING, AND THAT'S SNOW.

AND THERE'S USUALLY NO SHORTAGE OF THAT HERE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

AND MOST OF THE STORMS THAT COME IN FROM THE PACIFIC SMACK RIGHT UP AGAINST THE ROCKIES, AND THAT LEAVES MOST OF THE SNOW ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE DIVIDE.

BUT RIGHT HERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE DIVIDE, WE GET PLENTY OF SNOW, TOO, BECAUSE WHEN THEY HIT THE MOUNTAINS, SOME OF IT JUST ROLLS RIGHT OVER THE TOP.

IF YOU THINK OF ICE AND SNOW AS A RESERVOIR, WHERE THE RATE OF THEIR MELTING PRODUCES THE CONSISTENCY OF THE FLOW IN OUR RIVERS, YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW JUST A FEW DEGREES' FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURE COULD HAVE A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON THE RELATED ECOSYSTEMS.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT DOWNHILL SKIING CAN BE A LOT OF FUN, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT SNOWSHOEING IN THE ROCKIES THAT OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF ADVENTURE.

AND YOU CAN VISIT THE SAME LAKES THAT YOU DID IN THE SUMMERTIME, ONLY THIS TIME YOU CAN WALK ON WATER.

BUT DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY WITH THAT THOUGHT.

WELL, WHAT THE HECK?

GET A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY.

HERE, AT OVER 10,000 FEET, EMERALD LAKE ENJOYS THE STATUS AS THE FIRST IN ITS CHAIN OF AQUIFERS AND LAKES.

EMERALD LAKE HAS GIVEN UP ITS FROZEN COVER.

SPRINGTIME HIGH IN THE ROCKIES HAS ITS OWN PERSONALITY.

IT COMES LATE AND LASTS LONG, PLEASANTLY PREEMPTING CONVENTIONAL CONCEPTS OF SUMMER WITH ITS CLEAR MORNINGS, WARM DAYS, CAPTIVATING STORMS, AND COOL NIGHTS.

THE PROCESS BEGINS WITH THE MOUNTAINS RELEASING THEIR FROZEN TREASURE TO THIS CHAIN OF CRYSTALLINE LAKES AND STREAMS.

FOLLOWING ITS GRAVITATIONAL DESTINY, THE WATER DEPARTS EMERALD LAKE, FORMING A SERIES OF CASCADES AND WATERFALLS.

WHEN DREAM LAKE TAKES TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF THE WATER, IT IS SUPPORTING ITS RESIDENT GREENBACK TROUT POPULATION.

EVENTUALLY, THIS LIFE-GIVING LIQUID IS PASSED ON FURTHER TO WHERE THE LILY PADS OF NYMPH LAKE SEEM TO GRACIOUSLY ACCEPT THEIR GIFT.

AS SPRINGTIME CONTINUES, SO DOES THE STORY OF OUR RIVERS OF THE ROCKIES.

WHEN CONSIDERING THE VALUE OF OUR WATER SUPPLY, WE CAN HARDLY DENY THE AESTHETICS.

ABOVE THE LAKES, ABOVE THE STREAMS, AND ABOVE THE FORESTS, THERE IS A PLACE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

HERE MOTHER NATURE HAS INVITED THE HARDIEST OF THE ELK TO DINE ON THE CUISINE OF THE ALPINE TUNDRA.

EVERY STEP, EVERY VIEW, EVERY FEELING MIGHT STAY WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AS YOU PEER INTO THE SOUL OF THIS ROCKY MOUNTAIN WATERSHED.

CONTRIBUTING ITS MOISTURE TO THE SOURCE OF THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER, THIS IS THE POSTER PLACE OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

THIS IS ATTAINABLE ON TRAIL RIDGE ROAD, AS IT CROSSES THE BACKBONE OF OUR ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

AFTER WITNESSING THE CRAFTWORK OF AN ICE AGE, WE ARE BOUND FOR A PLACE WHERE OUR WATERY TALE IS ABOUT TO BECOME MUCH MORE COMPLEX.

WELL, HERE WE ARE RIGHT ON THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

NOW, PARDON MY FRENCH, BUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE, OR THE POUDRE RIVER, WHICH IS A LOT EASIER FOR ME TO PRONOUNCE, BEGINS RIGHT HERE AT THIS LAKE AS IT HEADS EAST TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI.

NOW, JUST OVER MY SHOULDER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE IS WHERE THE RIVERS HEAD WEST TOWARDS THE COLORADO.

RIVERS RUNNING OUT THE WEST SIDE OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK INCLUDE THE TONAHUTU, THE NORTH, AND THE EAST INLET CREEKS ON THEIR WAY TO BECOMING PART OF GRAND LAKE.

WELL, THIS IS ADAMS FALLS, AND THIS WATER IS ON ITS WAY TO GRAND LAKE, WHICH IS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

NOW, I LIVE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, BUT WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING, I TURNED ON THE FAUCET AND BRUSHED MY TEETH WITH WATER FROM HERE.

WELL, HOW'S THAT POSSIBLE?

MAGIC.

WELL, NO, NOT MAGIC, BUT SOMETHING JUST AS PREPOSTEROUS -- PREPOSTUOUS -- THAT'S ONE OF THOSE WORDS, THE MORE YOU SAY IT, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

SOMETHING JUST AS HARD TO BELIEVE.

SO, LET'S HEAD ON DOWN TO GRAND LAKE, AND I'LL EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.

THE TRAILS NEAR GRAND LAKE AND THE LOCAL INHABITANTS ACQUAINT US WITH THE DYNAMICS OF THE WEST SIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE ON THE WEST SIDE OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

THE LARGEST NATURAL BODY OF WATER IN COLORADO, GRAND LAKE IS AS CAPTIVATING AS IT IS CLASSIC.

EARLY PIONEERS WHO APPRECIATED THIS CLEAN, CLEAR LAKE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HISTORIC TOWN THAT BEARS THE SAME NAME.

WELL, HERE AT THE EAST END OF GRAND LAKE IS WHERE SOME OF THE WATER FROM THAT RIVER, WHICH IS NOW IN GRAND LAKE, WILL ENTER A TUNNEL AND TRAVEL THROUGH THE DIVIDE TO THE EAST SIDE OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

THE ALVA B. ADAMS TUNNEL IS ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE ENGINEERING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALL TIME.

THE ASSIGNMENT WAS TO BRING WATER FROM THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND DISTRIBUTE IT TO FARMS AND COMMUNITIES IN EASTERN COLORADO AND TO DO IT WITH MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TASK.

THE PROJECT BEGAN IN 1940 WITH TWO CREWS -- ONE ON THE WEST AND ONE ON THE EAST -- BURROWING TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE.

AFTER A FEW INTERRUPTIONS, LIKE WORLD WAR II, THEY MET PRACTICALLY DEAD ON.

IN 1947, THE TUNNEL WAS NOW SENDING A GRAVITY FEED OF WATER 13.1 MILES UNDER THE MOUNTAINS.

AND ALTHOUGH THE TUNNEL IS LARGE ENOUGH TO DRIVE A SMALL CAR THROUGH, WE'LL TAKE THE LESS HUMID 40-OR-SO-MILE DRIVE BACK ACROSS TRAIL RIDGE ROAD.

WATER FROM THE TUNNEL MAKES ITS FIRST APPEARANCE ON THE EAST SIDE AT THE EAST PORTAL, AND THEN IT ENTERS ANOTHER TUNNEL, WHICH CARRIES IT TO MARYS LAKE.

WELL, THIS IS MARYS LAKE, WHERE THE WATER ONCE AGAIN MAKES AN APPEARANCE OUT OF A TUNNEL OVER THERE AT THE MARYS LAKE POWER PLANT AND FORMS THIS BEAUTIFUL LAKE.

WELL, THIS WAS ACTUALLY A NATURAL LAKE, BUT IT'S MUCH LARGER SINCE THEY ADDED THE TUNNEL.

NOW IT'S GONNA GO BACK INTO ANOTHER TUNNEL TO ITS FINAL DESTINATION AT LAKE ESTES, WHERE IT'S GONNA JOIN UP WITH THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER.

BUT BEFORE IT DOES THAT, SOME OF IT, A LITTLE BIT OF IT, IS GONNA GO INTO A SMALLER PIPE, HEAD UP TO MY HOUSE, AND END UP ON MY TOOTHBRUSH.

ENTERING LAKE ESTES THROUGH A HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, THE WATER IS NOW PART OF THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER.

THE DAM ON THE LAKE WAS CONSTRUCTED TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF THIS LARGER VOLUME OF WATER.

THE AESTHETIC AND RECREATIONAL BENEFITS ARE A BY-PRODUCT OF A POWER STRUGGLE -- NOT JUST ELECTRICAL, BUT ECONOMICAL, AS IN IRRIGATION.

WATER DISTRIBUTION IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST.

ALTERATIONS CAN CAUSE DISPUTES IN THE UPPER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT OR IN THE UPPER BRANCHES OF A PONDEROSA PINE.

SINCERE SOLUTIONS COME WITH THE ABILITY TO LOOK SOMEONE IN THE EYE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH.

THE TRUTH WITH THE BIG THOMPSON PROJECT IS THIS IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

WE NEED TO GO TO THE SOURCE OF THE COLORADO TO LEARN, AS PAUL HARVEY USED TO SAY, THE REST OF THE STORY.

WHEN IT COMES TO RIVERS IN THE UNITED STATES, FEW CAN MATCH THE REPUTATION OF THE MIGHTY COLORADO, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADED RIGHT NOW.

AND TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT TO THE ADVENTURE, I BROUGHT THE KAYAK.

THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED SOURCE OF THE COLORADO IS A HIGH MOUNTAIN MARSH, A GREAT PLACE FOR A MOOSE BUT NOT SO GOOD FOR A KAYAK.

IN THE WORLD OF BUSINESS, THEY USUALLY TELL YOU YOU'RE GONNA START AT THE BOTTOM AND RISE TO THE TOP.

WELL, RIVERS -- THEY START AT THE TOP, AND THEY DROP TO THE BOTTOM.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO?

WELL, THEN YOU HAVE THE GRAND DITCH.

YOU SEE, OVER HERE -- WELL, THIS IS THE COLORADO RIVER.

WELL, IT'S THE MARSH WHERE THE COLORADO RIVER STARTS, AND IT'S HEADED THAT WAY.

AND OVER HERE... WE HAVE THE GRAND DITCH, AND IT'S GOING THAT WAY.

THE STORY OF THE GRAND DITCH BEGAN IN THE 19th CENTURY.

THE WATER BUSINESS PEOPLE DECIDED THAT THE WATER FROM THE NEVER SUMMER MOUNTAIN RANGE SHOULD NOT FOLLOW ITS NATURAL DOWNSLOPE FLOW INTO THE COLORADO RIVER, SO THEY DUG A CANAL TO INTERCEPT THE RUNOFF AND CREATED JUST ENOUGH OF AN ANGLE SO AS TO CAUSE THE WATER TO RUN THE OTHER WAY.

NOW, AFTER A VISIT TO A NEARBY RESERVOIR, THIS LIQUID TENDER IS ADDED TO THE POUDRE RIVER AND HEADS EAST, ALTERING THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.

LEAVING THE RIVER SOURCE AND ITS RESIDENT GROUNDSKEEPER, WE NEED TO HEAD DOWNSTREAM A FEW MILES TO SEE WHAT FLOATS OUR BOAT.

IT IS IN THE KAWUNEECHE VALLEY THAT THE COLORADO STARTS ACTING AND LOOKING LIKE A RIVER.

AS IT MEANDERS THROUGH HERE, IT SUPPORTS A VARIETY OF LIFE, INCLUDING AMPHIBIANS AND FISH, ATTRACTING PREDATORY BIRDS LIKE THE GREAT BLUE HERON.

ELK ENJOY THE VEGETATIVE BOUNTY, AS DOES ANOTHER FAVORITE OF WILDLIFE VIEWERS.

IN RECENT YEARS, MOOSE HAVE BECOME MORE AND MORE NUMEROUS IN ALL OF THE DRAINAGES NEAR GRAND LAKE.

WITH A BIT OF A CANTANKEROUS REPUTATION, THESE LARGEST MEMBERS OF THE DEER FAMILY SHOULD BE VIEWED WITH RESPECT, CAUTION, AND A QUIET SMILE.

THIS WOULD BE A NICE TIME TO TELL YOU THAT, FROM HERE, THE COLORADO TRAVELS COMFORTABLY TO POINTS WEST -- NICE BUT NOT TRUE.

IN FACT, IF WE GO OVER TO GRAND LAKE, WE CAN SEE THE GAUNTLET YET TO RUN IN AN ALMOST GAME-SHOW-LIKE SITUATION.

WELCOME TO "WHERE DOES THE WATER GO?"

CONTESTANT, PLEASE TAKE YOUR PLACE.

TONAHUTU, EAST INLET, NORTH INLET, WILLOW CREEK, AND THE COLORADO RIVER.

GET READY TO PLAY.

YOU SEE, GRAND LAKE USED TO RUN EXCLUSIVELY INTO THE COLORADO RIVER, BUT NOW, AS WE KNOW, IT ALSO RUNS INTO THE ADAMS TUNNEL.

BUT THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY, AND IT'S AT THE OTHER END OF THE LAKE.

SHADOW MOUNTAIN LAKE IS A RESERVOIR AT THE SAME ELEVATION AS GRAND LAKE.

WATER CAN RUN FREELY BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE CONNECTING CANAL, SO, DEPENDING ON THE NEED OR CONDITIONS, THE WATER WILL FLOW EITHER WAY.

WHEN CRUISING THE SHORE OF SHADOW MOUNTAIN, IT'S GOOD TO KNOW HOW TO PUT YOUR KAYAK IN REVERSE.

SO, IF IT'S GOING TO SEND EXTRA WATER BACK TO GRAND LAKE, WHERE DOES SHADOW MOUNTAIN GET IT FROM?

MOSTLY TWO PLACES -- THE COLORADO AND FROM DOWNSTREAM AT LAKE GRANBY.

THAT'S RIGHT -- DOWNSTREAM.

THIS IS LAKE GRANBY, FORMED BY A DAM ACROSS THE COLORADO RIVER.

WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE A GOOD PLACE FOR THE COLORADO RIVER TO GATHER ITS THOUGHTS BEFORE IT HEADS WEST AND SOUTH TOWARDS THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA.

BUT IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE.

LAKE GRANBY GETS ITS WATER FROM WEST-SLOPE STREAMS, INCLUDING THE COLORADO RIVER, NOW FLOWING OUT OF SHADOW MOUNTAIN LAKE.

BUT DEPENDING ON THE NEED, LAKE GRANBY WATER IS PUMPED BACK UPHILL TO SHADOW MOUNTAIN LAKE, WHERE IT CAN FLOW INTO GRAND LAKE AND INTO THE ADAMS TUNNEL AND ACROSS THE DIVIDE TO LAKE ESTES AND THE BIG THOMPSON RIVER.

NOW WE SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE COLORADO AND THE BIG THOMPSON RIVERS, UNLESS MY FLOW OF INFORMATION WAS AS CONFUSING AS THE FLOW OF THE RIVERS THEMSELVES.

THE SHORELINE OF LAKE GRANBY IS A BIT EXPOSED, SO SOMEONE HAS THOUGHTFULLY PLACED PICNIC TABLES TO PROVIDE SHADE FOR RESIDENT FOXES.

ANOTHER GRATEFUL RESIDENT IS THE OSPREY, OR FISH EAGLE.

AS MOM DIVIDES UP DINNER, THIS YOUNGSTER IS ABOUT TO TAKE ITS FIRST FLIGHT FROM THIS MAN-MADE PERCH AND ENJOY THE BOUNTY OF THIS MASSIVE MAN-MADE TROUT POND.

NOW LAKE GRANBY FINALLY SENDS OFF A TEMPORARILY FREE COLORADO RIVER, WHICH WILL TAKE A LONG, KIND OF SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY ON ITS WAY TO A RATHER FAMOUS PLACE.

EVENTUALLY, THE COLORADO RIVER'S GONNA END UP HERE, BUT THAT'S A LONG STORY, A VERY LONG STORY -- ABOUT THREE STATES' WORTH.

THE ORIGINAL NAME FOR THE COLORADO RIVER WAS THE GRAND RIVER, THUS THE NAME OF THIS BIT OF AN INDENTATION THAT IT HAS CARVED IN THE EARTH.

ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD, THE GRAND CANYON IS THE RESULT OF A COLLECTION OF LITTLE STREAMLETS BEGINNING HIGH IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND LAKE POWELL, OUR RIVER HAS BECOME THE MIGHTY COLORADO.

ABOUT NOW, I SUPPOSE I SHOULD SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT IT ALL MEANS.

WELL, IT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I KNOW THAT WE ALL COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT WATER.

BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT I COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT EXPLORING THE TRANSCENDENT LANDSCAPES OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS.

FROM THE TOP OF THE ROCKIES TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GRAND CANYON, THESE ARE NATIONAL TREASURES, TREASURES LIKE THE RIVERS OF THE ROCKIES.

>> FUNDING FOR "A WALK IN THE PARK" HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY... ROCKY MOUNTAIN GATEWAY -- INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION, SHOPPING AND DINING AT THE FALL RIVER ENTRANCE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

AND KIRKS FLY SHOP, WHERE KIRK AND LAURIE OFFER A FULL PRO LINE FLY SHOP AND GUIDING COMPANY, LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL ESTES PARK, COLORADO.

Kirksflyshop.com.

RAMS HORN VILLAGE RESORT.

RENTAL AND VACATION-OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

Ramshornvillageresort.com.

AND THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY.

"A WALK IN THE PARK WITH NICK MOLLé: RIVERS OF THE ROCKIES" IS AVAILABLE ON DVD FOR $19.95, PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING.

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