WSP00003

• File Number: 8200.760
• Description: Yampa River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 4/1/1969
• Author: CWCB - USDA
• Title: Water and Related Land Resources - Yampa River Basin - Colorado and Wyoming
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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The basin is a recreation area of regional significance. Hunting,
fishing, skiing, guest ranches, and recreation resorts constitute the
principal activities. In 1960 use of campground facilities amounted to
168,800 visitor-days. Tourist use of hotels and motels amounted to
137,500 visitor-days in 1960. Guest ranches and resorts provided about
190,500 activity days of outdoor recreation in 1960. Skiing is a rapidly
growing recreation activity since the opening of the Mt. Werner ski area
in 1962.

Many studies concerning proposed water and related land resource
developments have been made by State, Federal, local agencies, and pri-
vate enterprise. Those that appear to have the most potential of being
developed have been included in this report's projection of land and
water use by the years 1980, 2000, and 2020. Constraints imposed by
ownership, legal and institutional factors, location, and water supplies
will determine availability of land for future development.

With projected developments, estimated total water depletions will be
217,800 acre-feet by the year 1980, 346,700 acre-feet by 2000, and
393,500 acre-feet by 2020. Water resources are adequate to meet water
requirements of proposed resource developments outlined in this report,
including potential municipal and industrial requirements.

With development of the basin, the conservation of land and water
resources will become increasingly important. The multiple purpose
aspects of Public Law 566 projects offer effective solutions to many of
the land and water problems. Field examinations have been made on three
potential watershed projects, Fortification Creek, Dry Creek, and Storm
Mountain. Planning action on these projects has been tabled or suspended
but problems in these areas will require some type of project action in
the future probably in the 1980-2000 period. There are other project
opportunities available for USDA assisted development. The Farmers Home
Administration (FHA) has four inquiries and one application for municipal
and industrial water developments. There are many smaller land and water
development opportunities. These are generally of a type or size that
could be assisted through other USDA programs. Assistance could include
cost-sharing through ASCS pooling agreements and SCS technical help to
group enterprises or individuals. The Forest Service provides improve-
ments on national forest lands to the extent that available funds permit.

There are four potential Bureau of Reclamation projects, the Juniper,
Yampa Valley, Yellow Jacket, and Savery-Pot Hook. These projects would
include large developments of land for irrigation and a considerable
amount of water for multiple use purposes. In some cases these p~ojects
proposed under Public Law 485 may be more easily developed at a somewhat
smaller scale under Public Law 984. Portions of these and similar small
water development projects involving irrigation facilities may also be
developed as integral parts of watershed projects under Public Law 566 or
other authorities which may be made available in the future. Much of the

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