The Yampa River Fund will provide sustainable funding for these activities:
Voluntary, market-based water leases and releases from reservoirs that will enhance river flows.
Restoration actions that will improve riparian, in-channel, streambank, and aquatic habitat, with a special focus on addressing temperature issues.
Agricultural infrastructure improvements that will generate combined agricultural, environmental, and recreational benefits.
Banner Photo Credit: Colleen Miniuk
In 2024, the Yampa River Fund awarded funds for the Colorado Water Trust for environmental releases out of Stagecoach Reservoir and Elkhead Reservoir. Environmental releases help water temperature stay low and ensure water remains in the river. This helps fish habitat and ensures riparian areas stay healthy.
This project will conduct planning to reconnect the Yampa River to its floodplain and improve terrestrial and aquatic habitat near Hayden. Specific activities include engaging landowners, conducting hydraulic modeling, and developing a conceptual design for habitat connectivity in support of holistic riparian and aquatic health.
Funding will go toward helping retain valuable land from further erosion and improve water quality by reducing excess sediments along a 600-foot bank of the Yampa River. Riparian vegetation will be planted on over an acre of land to help encourage revegetation of the disturbed site.
This project plans to install a permanent stop log diversion at the Nickell Ditch. This will also include riparian restoration just above the installed diversion, combining bank grading with tree planting and other techniques.
This Yampa River Fund grant award will be used to start the planning process and development of alternatives for the Duquette Ditch Diversion just downstream of Steamboat Springs. The project will also include riparian restoration on the centennial Stanko Ranch.
In 2023, the Yampa River Fund awarded funds for the Colorado Water Trust for environmental releases out of Stagecoach Reservoir. Environmental releases help water temperature stay low and ensure water remains in the river. This helps fish habitat and ensures riparian areas stay healthy.
Funding will go toward replacing an aging headgate that sends water from Elkhead Creek down a four-mile ditch where multiple owners irrigate over 600 acres of crops. In addition to ensuring the continued supply of water to local agricultural producers, this project will improve safety related to maintenance of the structure. Replacement will also provide improved efficiency of water use with a greater ability to fully seal during low flow periods and ensure flow releases for environmental benefit from Elkhead Reservoir can pass the diversion to support endangered fishes as intended.
Funds will contribute to creating a new Outreach Coordinator position to engage landowners and build capacity to develop and implement coordinated river projects that focus on a balanced river system and riparian function that improve river health. This work will occur between the Hayden Pump Station and Moffat County line and build on prior stakeholder engagement efforts.
Funding will go toward replacing an aging headgate that is in danger of failing. A new headgate will provide a consistent flow of water with which to irrigate crops and water livestock along the approximately six miles in length. There is also municipal water use from this ditch for enhancing parks and open space.
Colorado Water Trust contracts with the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District and the Colorado River Water Conservation District to strategically release stored water from Stagecoach Reservoir and Elkhead Reservoir to benefit the natural environment and the local communities as needed during drier periods of the summer and fall.
In 2021, the River District released 1,500 acre-feet made available through the River District's Community Funding Partnership 2021 Yampa River Flow Pilot. Funding from the River Fund in 2022 continues this effort to benefit consumptive and in-channel uses during low flow periods.
The City of Craig is continuing the development a whitewater park which will create a recreational asset for the city and Moffat County. The project features drop pools and safe boater facilities while creating enhanced aquatic/riparian habitat and fish passage. In 2022, Yampa River Fund grant funds will contribute to the construction phase of the Yampa River Corridor Project which will replace existing degraded municipal water diversion dam.
Colorado Water Trust will contract with the appropriate entities to release stored water from Stagecoach Reservoir and Elkhead Reservoir to benefit the natural environment and the local communities as needed during drier periods of the Summer and Fall. Find out more here.
Engineering for a whitewater park in Craig. This project will feature drop pools and safe boater facilities, while allowing fish passage. Engineering will also encompass replacement of an existing municipal water diversion dam.
YRF funds will be used for project design to protect and restore a 2.5-mile section of Trout Creek using low-tech, river restoration techniques that aim to restore natural river processes. The project is located on a ranch west of Oak Creek.
This project includes design and engineering for a restoration effort that improves aquatic habitat in a critical reach of the Yampa River. The project will benefit stream health, function, and recreational opportunities. Learn more here.
This grant supports pre-construction permitting and stakeholder engagement for restoration of the Maybell Diversion and headgates on the Yampa
This grant supports pre-construction permitting and stakeholder engagement for restoration of the Maybell Diversion and headgates on the Yampa River. When complete, the Maybell project will provide improved boat and fish passage on this section of the Yampa as well as improved water delivery for the ditch users.
YVSC will plan mid and upper canopy tree species on City of Steamboat Springs property, Snake Island. Tree planting will help restore degraded riparian habitat and provide long-term benefits to stream temperatures in accordance with the 2018 Stream Management Plan.
Learn about the projects that the Yampa River Fund has provided grant funds to.
Loudy Simpson Boat Ramp
Grant applications will be received through Yampa Valley Community Foundation. See link below to apply.
The Yampa River Fund is a community-based collaborative dedicated to identifying and funding activities that protect the water supply, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities provided by the Yampa River. Launched in September 2019, the Fund was created through a partnership of twenty-one public, private and nonprofit entities representing the entire Yampa Basin coming together to create the board that governs the fund.
The Yampa River Fund will invest in conservation and restoration activities that positively impact Yampa River flows and support natural-resource based livelihoods, including agriculture and recreation, throughout the basin. It will ensure that a healthy, flowing Yampa River remains the thriving center of our communities for generations to come.
The Yampa River Fund will invest in projects that:
• Enhance water security for communities, agriculture, the economy, and the natural environment in the Yampa Valley;
• Support a healthy, flowing river and enhance critical low flows through water leases from reservoirs, and;
• Maintain or improve river function through a holistic approach to restoration of riparian and/or in-channel habitat.
Eligible applicants include state and local government entities, public districts and irrigation entities, mutual ditch companies, homeowners associations, and non-profits. Private landowners are encouraged to partner with one of these entities
Grant Timing:
Grant closes April 1, 2025.
Applicants will be expected to meet with a joint Steering Committee/Advisory Technical Committee meeting to answer questions in mid April - DATE and TIME TBD.
Final funding decision will be made by early June.
Additional Information:
Applications for planning and/or design projects are welcome.
Technical assistance is REQUIRED. For assistance on developing your application please contact: mike@friendsoftheyampa.com. For help with the grant portal or logging in, please email greg@yvcf.org.
In collaboration with the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, the 2025 Grant Application will be entirely online. All supporting grant documents can be found through the grant portal.
