In 2021, the IWMP hired Watershed Science & Design to conduct Fluvial Hazard Zone (FHZ) mapping in the lower Elk and Middle Yampa to delineate areas at risk to fluvial hazards such as flooding, erosion and avulsion (movement of land due to an abrupt change in the course of a river). The project also included delineating locations where the Yampa’s channel has historically occupied and current trends in channel movement, as well as identifying areas where mitigation actions may be warranted and/or would provide benefit, and the types of mitigation actions that could be considered. Any management actions must be undertaken at the behest of and with full cooperation of the landowner, therefore management recommendations are presented as concepts to consider, and the team did not attempt to identify land ownership, willingness of landowners to participate, or other aspects of project feasibility.

Method:

The team created planning-level delineations of the Active Stream Corridor following the protocol outlined in “Colorado Fluvial Hazard Zone Delineation Protocol” (Colorado Water Conservation Board,2020).

Results:

This story map provides an easy to digest overview of the report findings and management recommendations.

Technical results are available in the Final Report