Upper Yampa
Watershed Hydrology
The Upper Yampa Watershed (HUC 14050001) covers an area of approximately 1,803 square miles in northwestern Colorado. The hydrology of the watershed is characterized by the Yampa River, which is fed by numerous tributaries and has a mean annual flow of 850 cubic feet per second. The area receives an average annual snowfall of 270 inches, which contributes to the significant snowpack that is present in the winter months. The surface water in the watershed is used for irrigation, municipal water supply, and recreation, with Stagecoach Reservoir being the largest water storage facility in the area. Interesting climatic facts include the high levels of precipitation in the winter and spring months, which can lead to flooding, and the increasing temperatures and decreasing snowpack in recent years, which could have implications for water supply and drought conditions in the future.