After an epic snow year in the mountains, the Yampa River is flowing higher than it has in a decade. As water makes its way through Colorado and Utah on its way to the Colorado River and Lake Powell, the high flows are a boon for rafters, fish and farmers.
The Yampa River is full of snowmelt on its way to the Colorado River, bringing temporary relief for farms, fish and millions of people in the Southwest.
Water samples collected on upper reaches of Woody, Hunter, Avalanche and Thompson creeks Environmental groups in western Colorado are working to designate more reaches of high-elevation tributaries as Outstanding Waters, the state health department’s highest.
The Outstanding Waters designation can be awarded to streams with high water quality and exceptional recreational or ecological attributes, and the intent is to protect the water quality from future degradation. Water samples are being collected on upper reaches of Woody, Hunter, Avalanche and Thompson creeks in the Roaring Fork basin.
Environmental groups in western Colorado are working to designate more reaches of high-elevation tributaries as Outstanding Waters, the state Health Department’s highest water-quality rating. The Outstanding Waters designation can be awarded to streams with high.