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. INTRODUCTION

The Yampa River provides critical habitat for four listed endangered fishes and is considered
essential to the recovery of these four species. The Yampa is largest tributary of the Green River
and the only river of its size in the Upper Colorado River Basin without a large mainstem dam to
regulate its flow. As a result, it exhibits an annual hydrograph that approaches natural or virgin
flow conditions, which is important not only for the Yampa itself, but also for the Green River
downstream from the Yampa confluence. This is especially true of spring peak flows, which have
been attenuated by large mainstem dams elsewhere in the Upper Colorado Basin. Spring floods
are important for transporting sediment, preparing spawning beds and creating and maintaining
nursery habitats for endangered fishes. However, low natural flows from mid-summer through
early fall are exacerbated by high demands for irrigation. A significant effort has been devoted to
quantifying the flow needs of fishes during this period and to evaluating the impacts on stream
flows due to existing and projected future water development for human consumption.

The purpose of this Synthesis Report is to inform decision-makers of the significant findings of
numerous studies conducted over the past 10 years concerning the water needs of humans and
endangered fishes in the Yampa River Basin. This document summarizes and correlates the
results of this research, citing the relevant research reports and related documents that more
thoroughly analyze future human water demand, low-flow requirements of endangered fishes,
and hydrologic simulations of various water supply scenarios to meet these competing demands.
By extrapolating from the conclusions of the various research elements, this report is intended to
provide guidance for future basin-wide planning. It also identifies and begins to resolve some of
the significant issues that need to be addressed during development of a Management Plan for
the Yampa River Basin. It is not intended to be, nor does it serve as, a decision document.

In addition to this introductory chapter, this report has eight additional chapters as follows:

2. BACKGROUND provides a brief description of the basin hydrology and water
management setting, including an overview of the water planning process that has
occurred over the past 10 years.

3. ENDANGERED FISH REQUIREMENTS presents a summary of research and studies
related to endangered species recovery and a discussion of recommendations for
instream flows and aquatic wildlife management.

4. FUTURE WATER DEMANDS are estimated for human use during the next 50 years.

5. EVALUATION OF FUTURE FLOWS discusses the results of hydrologic simulations of
the basin to satisfy both human demands and the stream flow requirements of fishes.

6. PROGRAMMATIC APPROACH describes the approach adopted by the RIP for the
development and implementation of a management plan for the basin to meet the needs
of humans and the aquatic environment.

7. ISSUES IDENTIFICATION AND DISCUSSION highlights significant issues raised by
participants of a conference held August 5, 1999 in Craig, Colorado. This chapter also
identifies any consensus of the conference participants, as well as any unresolved issues,
and responds to written comments submitted in response to the draft synthesis report.

8. REFERENCES used in developing this document are listed in this section. They
provide more detailed information and include secondary references on each subject.

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