WSP01478

• File Number: 8240.200.40.H
• Description: Yampa
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 12/13/1995
• Title: Instream Flow Filings for Endangered Fish in the Yampa - Special Meeting
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Board Memo

STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources

721 State Centennial Building
1313 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone [phone]
FAJ< [phone]

o

Roy Romer
Governor

MEMORANDUM

James S. Lochhead
Executive DiIoctor, DNR
Daties C. Lile, P.E.
Director, CVlCB

To: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

From: peterEvans~~~
E, L Jencsok fX.

Date: December 5,1995

Subject: Agenda Item Ib, December 13, 1995, Special Board Meeting
Endangered Fish Instream Water Rights for the Yampa River

INTRODUCTION
Importance of the Yampa River: The Yampa River is a high priority for appropriating
instream flow water rights because it is the least altered river and consequently least altered
habitat in the Upper Colorado River system, It was designated as critical habitat for the four
endangered fishes in 1993 from Craig to the Green River in Utah, The U,S, Fish & Wildlife
Service (Service) has been conducting biological studies in the Yampa River over the last 15
years. The conclusion of fishery experts from these studies is that the Y 1ffipa and Green River
systems constitute the most important habitat for endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River
Basin,
This system supports the largest remaining populations of Colorado squawfish and
razorback sucker, and the humpback chub population is one of the few self-sustaining
populations remaining in the Upper Colorado River Basin, The relative abundance of these
fishes in this system has led fishery biologists to conclude that habitat conditions are more
favorable for preservation and recovery of the endangered fishes in the Yampa than other parts of
the Upper Colorado River Basin, and maintenance of flows which mimic the natural flow regime
are critical to the survival and recovery of these federally protected species. Protection of
instream flows needed to recover the four endangered fishes is a primary concern of the Service,
and is one of the five key elements of the Recovery Implementation Program for the Endangered
Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin (Recovery Program),
In accordance with Colorado's commitment to the Recovery Program and with state
statutes, the Service is responsible for conducting instream flow quantification studies and
recommending instream flows to the Board for review, approval and implementation; the Board
is responsible for the appropriation, acquisition and protection of instream flow water rights in
Colorado,