Photo courtesy City of Steamboat Springs.

 

A small part of the Yampa River where Fish Creek runs into it, is closed until the end of the month. It’s to accommodate fish migration and spawning in the area.

 

Here is the full press release from the City of Steamboat Springs.

Closure at River Confluence Extended to October 31 — Moisture & Melting Snow Results in Later Pulses of Migrating Whitefish

 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-October 19, 2021-While the majority of the Yampa River is open to recreation, a small section at the confluence of the Yampa River and Fish Creek will see its closure extended to the end of the month, October 31, 2021.

 

Colorado Parks & Wildlife have been monitoring the whitefish run in Fish Creek as well as the pool at the confluence with the Yampa River. Biologists have witnessed a delay in the run likely due to low water flows. The recent moisture and melting fall snows have resulted in pulses of increased flow which has triggered fish to migrate. As a result of the delayed run, the existing closure will be extended through the end of the month.

 

The voluntary closure was set to expire on October 20; however, it will be extended to October 31 to accommodate continued fish migration and spawning in this area. With the cold water from Fish Creek, a large concentration of spawning fish remains in the deep pool where the waterways meet.

 

The voluntary closure runs roughly 100 feet upstream and 200 feet downstream on the Yampa River, as well as up Fish Creek to US40. Signage is in place to alert river users of the continued voluntary closure in this area.

 

As part of the Yampa River Health Assessment and Streamflow Management Plan, adopted in 2018, the city, along with its partners, is committed to promoting native fish populations from further decline and the specific focus on whitefish in Fish Creek is one of the ways to accomplish this goal.