As part of a non-consumptive water use assessment for the Yampa River, local water expert Kent Vertrees is leading an effort to define the river’s recreational and environmental attributes. “Really the goal would be to build a tool for the basin which could be utilized for future water supply decisions,” said Vertrees, a member of the Steamboat Springs Water Commission. The assessment would identify critical river reaches for recreational and environmental needs, such as boating, fishing and maintaining water levels for life in the river. “So let’s say we want to build a new reservoir upstream. They would look at this assessment and say that in 2008, we identified this incredible trout fishery at the base of the reservoir,” Vertrees said. “We think this is a high priority to maintain, we want to do our best to maintain that.”

To view the full article, visit the Steamboat Pilot. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango. Photo courtesy of Steamboat Pilot, John F. Russell.