9596

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9596
• Author: Ayers Associates.
• Title: Yampa River Basin Research Final Synthesis Report.
• USFW Year: 1999.
• USFW - Doc Type: Fort Collins, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

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1. During the base flow period (August-October), habitat for endangered fishes in the
Yampa River declines most rapidly when stream flows fall below 93 cfs.

2. Historically, endangered fish have survived in the Yampa River in spite of daily
average flows below this flow target.

3. The incidence of average daily flows less than 93 cis should not increase in
frequency, magnitude and duration over that of the historic record.

4. A water management plan for the Yampa River should be developed to identify and
compare options for meeting the base flow recommendation. -

5. The impacts of future depletions should be quantified using the Colorado River
Decision Support System (CRDSS) flow model for the Yampa River (Appendix B).
The analysis of CRDSS data should include:

a) calculating the historic and future frequency, magnitude and duration of daily flows
less than 93 cfs at the Maybell gage and above the Maybell Canal diversion;

b) A comparative analysis of low flows during historic and projected future flow
events to quantify expected annual volume shortages of the 93 cfs flow target
under future water demand conditions.

6. The water management plan should strive to maintain flow variability within years and
between years such that both optimal and sub-optimal flow conditions are represented
at their historical frequencies in the base flow hydrograph.

7. The peak of the hydrograph should not be depleted to augment low-flow periods.

3.2. Yampa River Basin Aquatic Wildlife Management Plan

Concurrent with the research conducted on summer low flow needs of fish in the Yampa River, in
1998 the CDOW completed an Aquatic Wildlife Management Plan for the Yampa River Basin in
Colorado. The purpose of this document is to provide management perspectives and
recommended actions for aquatic resources and wildlife species managed by the CDOW in the
Yampa River Basin. The objectives of the plan were to:

1. describe the physical fishery and aquatic resources in the basin subject to
management by the CDOW;

2. discuss policies, agreements and issues influencing the management of these
resources;

3. discuss fishery management for specific waters and aquatic wildlife species located
within the basin via management categories;

4. describe preferred fishery and conservation management recommendations for the
basin and activities which are or will be unde.s;taken to achieve agency goals and
agreements;

5. provide a reference and guide for fishery recreation management and aquatic
resource conservation by CDOW biologists, federal and state resource managers,
and interested public and private agencies and individuals.

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