"It's very pleasant, very relaxing. It's hard to believe in a few weeks, it could be a raging river," said Duroux.

Already this spring the water running through Basalt is bouncing and bubbling, and given the snowpack yet to melt, Duroux is worried high water may end up flooding parts of town.

"What is up in the mountains has to come down through the valley here and we're a little worried," said Duroux.

For the past few months, town and Pitkin County officials like Pat Bingham have been planning for possible flooding in stream-side neighborhoods and the newly built river plaza.

"Even in lower runoff years, the property management of this complex says the water percolates the grounds - gets too saturated with water - that it actually percolates into their parking garage," said Bingham.

The town of Basalt has bought 6,000 sandbags and will soon distribute piles of sand in locations that may need it.

On Wednesday, Pitkin County officials held a flood preparation meeting at the Basalt Middle School.

"We're trying to get the message out well in advance of the big runoff for people to be prepared," said Bingham.

The meeting featured water experts, provided a flood hotline and provided information residents may need if the water starts coming up.

"We have a panel of experts to tell people about everything from how to sandbag, to how to sign up for a service called Roam Secure we're starting where they can get cell phone calls or e-mails when urgent messages need to be sent out," said Bingham.