Local residents and visitors to the Yampa Valley have received substantial gifts recently. First, Great Outdoors Colorado awarded Steamboat Springs and the Yampa River System Legacy Project a $2.4 million grant. Second, a cooperative agreement just signed between local and state water agencies and the Colorado Water Trust has the potential to more than double flows in the Yampa River in the next few months. Hopefully, that increase in flow will help preserve the world-class fishery that currently exists in the upper Yampa.
The Yampa Valley now needs to thank the Colorado Water Trust for its generosity for allocating 35 percent of its statewide funds to the Yampa River. The best way to express our gratitude is by helping the Colorado Water Trust accomplish its goal of keeping as much water in the Yampa as far downstream as possible. Whether your water is delivered from a headgate, municipality, water district or a server at a restaurant, please use only the amount of water necessary. Also, please respect the voluntary closure of the river for fishing, tubing, kayaking and swimming as requested by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife and the city of Steamboat Springs.
We owe the Colorado Water Trust and the Yampa River our willing support in protecting the resource. Please do your part and encourage visitors to do the same.
Scott Warner
President, Yampa Valley Fly Fishers chapter of Trout Unlimited
Steamboat Today
Scott Warner
Original article