YAMPA RIVER

40.24, -106.94
Last Updated: December 6, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

Total streamflow across the Yampa River was last observed at 152 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 302 acre-ft of water today; about 25% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 605 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-06-09 when daily discharge volume was observed at 79,245 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Yampa River At Deerlodge Park reporting a streamflow rate of 394 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir with a gauge stage of 4.93 ft. This river is monitored from 7 different streamgauging stations along the Yampa River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 7,211 ft, the Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir.

The Yampa River is a tributary of the Green River and is located in the western part of the United States. It is approximately 250 miles long and flows through parts of Colorado and Wyoming before joining the Green River in Utah. The river has a rich history, having been used by Native American tribes and early settlers for transportation and agriculture. Today, the river is primarily used for recreation, including fishing, boating, and rafting. There are several reservoirs and dams along the river, including Stagecoach Reservoir and Elkhead Reservoir. These structures are used to manage water flow and provide hydroelectric power. The Yampa River also plays an important role in agriculture, providing irrigation water for crops in the surrounding areas.

Last Updated 2024-11-29
Discharge Volume 302 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 152.1 cfs
+3.0 cfs (+2.01%)
Percent of Normal 25.16%
Maximum 79,245.0 cfs
2011-06-09
Seasonal Avg 605 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir
USGS 09237450
72 cfs 4.93 ft 27.56
Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir
USGS 09237500
38 cfs 2.6 ft 0
Yampa River At Steamboat Springs
USGS 09239500
113 cfs 0.55 ft 2.73
Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden
USGS 09244490
221 cfs 1.61 ft 4.74
Yampa River Below Craig
USGS 09247600
215 cfs 1.49 ft -10.79
Yampa River Near Maybell
USGS 09251000
258 cfs 1.99 ft 1.57
Yampa River At Deerlodge Park
USGS 09260050
394 cfs 2.53 ft 1.03
History of the River

The Yampa River flows 250 miles (400 km) through northwestern Colorado in the United States. Rising in the Rocky Mountains, it is a tributary of the Green River and a major part of the Colorado River system. The Yampa is one of the few free-flowing rivers in the western United States, with only a few small dams and diversions.
The name is derived from the Snake Indians word for the Perideridia plant, which has an edible root. John C. Frémont was among the first to record the name 'Yampah' in entries of his journal from 1843, as he found the plant was particularly abundant in the watershed.

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