Meet Env/Rec Water Needs

In the figure below, highlight or click the individual boxes to see the specific Env/Rec stakeholder responses provided for the question "What is your biggest concern about water in the Yampa Basin?" Note that a single response may be included in multiple categories (ie: one respondent is concerned about both water quality and climate change).

Env/Rec users are primarily concerned with low flows and a shortened recreation season both today and in the future due to climate change and increasing local demands/population growth.

There is a general consensus from Env/Rec and Ag stakeholders that they have seen negative changes to the river over time, including:

• Ag concerns about bank stability and erosion (also mentioned in the Ag page's Figure 10)

• Both Env/Rec and Ag users have seen increasing low flows or dry-up points, mostly upstream of Craig. There seem to be “hotspots” on the Bear River, around Steamboat, the middle section of the Elk River, around Hayden and around Craig.

• Increasing trash (especially from Chuck Lewis through Steamboat)

• Changes in riparian habitat are regularly seen by Ag, especially below Stagecoach and on the Elk. There is a clear desire by all stakeholders for habitat restoration (both general and riparian) along the mainstem Yampa from Stagecoach to Steamboat and between Hayden and Craig. as shown below in a repeat of Figure 10.

Ag users report Lower Yampa fish populations as decreasing (specifically to Bass, Trout and Pike populations), and lots of negative comments about fish shocking practices. Perceptions of fishery in the Upper Yampa and Elk River areas are generally neutral or positive trends

● Env/Rec users (~60%) express a need for more/better river access. Ambiguous access rights and boating hazards seem to exacerbate the issue.

o Common answers of an increased access need: Chuck Lewis, Steamboat downtown, Steamboat Bear River Park, Elk River, Hayden, Milner, Loudy Simpson

o Fencing and hazardous diversions are common ag practices that are causing rec issues throughout the basin. Hazardous diversions are site specific and evenly distributed down the river, not one spot is an obvious majority issue.

● When asked about planned or desired river health or recreation projects, there are desired projects on the mainstem Yampa near Craig/Loudy Simpson (Moffat Co and City of Craig), several river health and recreation plans in Steamboat (City of Steamboat Springs), desired recreational access improvements near Hayden (Town of Hayden) and many resource management plans on the upper tributaries (USFS).

● Recreation Hazards exist throughout the basin:

o Bridges on the Elk and Steamboat town run are commonly cited hazards

o Barbed wire on river in multiple places

o The majority of hazards observed are bridges at high water or dangerous flow pattern/pilon configuration. Bridges are mostly an issue in Upper and Elk River Segments.

o Other recreators is a problem mostly in the Steamboat area.

o Other important hazards noted were diversion structures, debris in river (natural and manmade), and hazardous access locations.

The following opportunities were identified by either stakeholders themselves, or by a member of the IWMP team that conducted stakeholder outreach. This is not an exhaustive list, and there is a space for your ideas on the Opportunities Summary page.

11 Low flows/ shortages

Identify the locations/times of year that experience consistent low flows (now and in future) and work towards quantifying what flows would be needed and identifying strategies to meet them.

12 Riparian restoration and bank stabilization

Identify and launch existing and potential programs for incentivizing healthy riparian areas/floodplain connection that also help with stabilizing banks near diversion infrastructure.

13 Remove invasive plant species

Particularly on Lower Yampa, study what species are of concern, and where are the most troublesome areas. Increase support for Routt and Moffat county weed programs and Leafy Spurge Project.

14 Fish species restoration

Use GEI fisheries study (early 2021) to confirm whether fish populations are in decline throughout Basin. If so, work to address this in ways that support other user needs (e.g., Ag).

15 Increase/improve rec access and conditions

Explore ways to improve boating/fishing conditions and access while discouraging overuse – i.e., ID areas where increased access will provide economic benefits to underserved locations and help disperse recreational use. Consider workgroup to 1) consider what, if any, principles should guide expansion of rec access, and 2) propose project ideas to IWMP committee.