The Yampa River is at the heart of Steamboat in more ways than one.
Steamboat Springs might be best known for its powder and tree skiing. But what a lot of people don’t realize is come summer, the Yampa River becomes the center of life for river enthusiasts of all walks, from hardcore whitewater kayakers and rafters to fly fishermen, stand up paddle boarders and nature conservationists. From its headwaters in the Flat Tops to its junction with the Green River 250 miles later, it’s billed as the last major free-flowing tributary to the Colorado River.
The Yampa River may look tame, especially during the late summer months when you can watch tourists floating lazily through town on inflatable pool toys they get at Wal Mart. But go up river a bit, or hit the rapids during spring runoff and you’ve got a totally different animal. The Yampa can go from a gentle stream in the fall to a raging river in the spring, with everything in between.
“I came up here for the river as much as I did for the ski town,” says Eugene Buchanan, who was looking for a place to base Paddler Magazine when he first moved to Steamboat in 1992. “For such a small town, there’s a vibrant paddling industry, and the Yampa satisfies a wide array of user groups. There’s a season for kayaking, a season for fishing, a season for rafting and a season for tubing. The Yampa also offers one of the West’s sole remaining complete and natural hydraulic cycles, from peak flood to low lows, which is crucial for its four endangered fish species and riparian habitat. And for kayakers, it’s bookended by two classic Class V runs, with Gore Canyon on the Colorado River on one end and Cross Mountain Canyon of the Yampa River on the other.”
Locally, kayakers can also run Fish Creek right into the heart of town, or head up to the nearby Box Canyon of the Elk River, which enjoys the largest runoff for its basin’s square acreage in the country. And Class IV-V (at high water) Cross Mountain Canyon, he says, “is just like being in the Grand Canyon.”
Buchanan also points out that the Yampa boasts one of the best play waves in Colorado for a month or so each year, with two features built by the City of Steamboat Springs. Applying for a Recreational In Channel Diversion (RICD) water right, the City used its popular Charlie’s Hole (C-Hole) feature to gain a guaranteed and precedent-setting water right. “It’s an example of how recreation is as important as agriculture, municipal and other uses when it comes to water rights,” Buchanan says. “And the nice thing is, recreational use is non-consumptive so it still satisfies downstream users.”
Conservation is a big part of Steamboat’s river culture, since Colorado’s rivers and its fish are under constant threat. Local nonprofit Friends of the Yampa, of which Buchanan sits on the Board of Directors, works hard to protect and enhance the environmental integrity of the river. “It does great work with bank stabilization, river clean-ups, and other projects, as well as building awareness with policy makers and the public.”
Steamboat also boasts a strong river community with a bustling industry revolving around kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rafting and fishing. It’s home to two kayaking schools, a stand-up paddle boarding school, locally-based SUP manufacturer HALA, and two retail shops, Mountain Sports and Backdoor Sports, plus an additional storefront for HALA in the works. The Yampa River Festival is a three-day celebration held at the beginning of the summer season every year as “a celebration of all things river,” Buchanan says. This 2017 Yampa River Festival is slated for June 2-3, and more information can be found here:
http://friendsoftheyampa.com/event/37th-annual-yampa-river-festival/
No matter how you choose to enjoy the river, it is important to always respect the river and take care of this incredible natural resource. Remember to secure anything you bring with you so that it doesn’t get separated from you and end up as trash in the river or on the banks (sunglasses, cameras, footwear, trash bags, etc.). Exercise river safety, be responsible and follow the “leave no trace” rule so that it is protected and remains beautiful for generations to come. As seen on many bumper stickers in town, it comes down to one basic idea: “Respect the Yampa.”
IF YOU GO …
Tips for Enjoying the Yampa River
- Wear sunscreen
- Bring and drink lots of water
- Wear appropriate footwear with straps
- Secure sunglasses with a strap
- Don’t bring any glass
- Bring a bag for trash and attach it to you/your tube
- Pack out what you bring in – leave no trace
- Respect other river users’ space
For more information on the great work that Friends of the Yampa does in preservation of this treasured amenity in our community, as well as information on upcoming events, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.
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