Six grants for $200,000 have been awarded from the Yampa River Fund. It’s a fund that helps support a healthier future for the Yampa River as a vital component of Northwest Colorado’s lifestyle and economy. The six projects and grantees chosen are:
Yampa River Corridor Project — the City of Craig
Engineering for a whitewater park in Craig. This project will feature drop pools and safe boater facilities, while allowing fish passage. Engineering will also encompass replacement of an existing municipal water diversion dam.
Yampa River Environmental Release Program – the Colorado Water Trust
Colorado Water Trust will contract with the appropriate entities to release stored water from Stagecoach Reservoir and Elkhead Reservoir to benefit the natural environment and the local communities as needed during drier periods of the Summer and Fall.
Process Based Design for Trout Creek Restoration — Trout Unlimited
YRF funds will be used for project design to protect and restore a 2.5-mile section of Trout Creek using low-tech, river restoration techniques that aim to restore natural river processes. The project is located on a ranch west of Oak Creek.
Pleasant Valley Habitat Recreation Improvement — Yampa Valley Stream Improvement Charitable Trust
This project includes design and engineering for a restoration effort that improves aquatic habitat in a critical reach of the Yampa River. The project will benefit stream health, function, and recreational opportunities.
Maybell Diversion Restoration – Permitting — The Nature Conservancy
This grant supports pre-construction permitting and stakeholder engagement for restoration of the Maybell Diversion and headgates on the Yampa River. When complete, the Maybell project will provide improved boat and fish passage on this section of the Yampa as well as improved water delivery for the ditch users.
Yampa River Forest Restoration Project-Snake/Hitchen’s Island — Yampa Valley Sustainability Council
YVSC will plant mid and upper canopy tree species on City of Steamboat Springs property on Snake Island. Tree planting will help restore degraded riparian habitat and provide long-term benefits to stream temperatures in accordance with the 2018 Stream Management Plan.
The Yampa River Fund is in its second year of operation and building momentum to create a healthier future for the Yampa River as a vital component of northwest Colorado’s lifestyle and economy. Six grants totaling $200,000 were awarded to entities to accomplish projects that benefit the river and its tributaries. The projects that will be funded represent a wide swath of the Yampa basin and all three eligible funding categories: enhanced river flows, restoration actions and improved infrastructure. “The Fund is grateful for the interest in our grant program from all corners of the Basin. All of the groups leveraged other funding to amplify the impact of Yampa River Fund dollars,” said Andy Baur, Yampa River Fund Manager.
“We are really excited to partner with these organizations on this amazing group of projects,” said Kelly Romero-Heaney, chair of the Yampa River Fund Board. “It shows that the Yampa River Fund is doing what it was designed to do – improve the river’s health and support the communities that depend on it.”
The Yampa River Fund was launched in September 2019 to provide a sustainable, voluntary funding source for the Yampa River in order to enhance water security and support a healthy, flowing river by enhancing critical low flows, and maintaining or improving river function through a holistic approach to restoration of habitat.
The Fund is governed by a 21-member founding Board representing local governments, community and statewide NGOs, business, water providers and irrigation districts.
More information on the Yampa River Fund can be found at yampariverfund.org.