The battle for control of water in the American West is raging, with a new front emerging in the fight to preserve the Yampa River, a pristine tributary of the Colorado River. This vital artery, spanning 250 miles from Colorado's rugged Rocky Mountains to its confluence with the Green River in Utah, has thus far evaded the ravages of human intervention, retaining its natural seasonal cycles for millions of years. But as rising demand and climate change exact a growing toll on the region, the Yampa is now facing unprecedented threats to its very existence.
The Colorado River system, which the Yampa feeds, supplies water to over 40 million people across seven US states, numerous Indigenous tribes, and parts of Mexico. It irrigates more than 5.5 million acres (2.2 million hectares) of farmland and supports an estimated £1 trillion in economic activity (approximately $1.4 trillion USD). Moreover, it provides crucial habitats for over 150 threatened or endangered species. The system is perilously overdrawn, prompting difficult negotiations on how to manage the Colorado River basin in the face of a warmer and drier climate.
This year's devastatingly low snowpack and record-breaking spring temperatures have pushed the Colorado River basin into uncharted territory. While other rivers in the region have been extensively dammed and diverted, the Yampa has largely retained its wild character. However, this unique status makes it a prime target for water diversion proposals from various sectors, including the oil shale industry, rapidly expanding communities along the Front Range, and farmers struggling with the broader system-wide water crunch.
Climate change is taking a significant toll on the Yampa, with flows having declined by approximately a quarter over the last century. The recent winter was recorded as the warmest in the region's history, further straining water availability. Kent Vertrees, an advocate and guide with the non-profit Friends of the Yampa, observed that "The bullseye will always be on the Yampa's back," highlighting the persistent pressure the river faces.
To counter these threats, Vertrees and other guides have dedicated over a decade to leading influential groups, including scientists, policymakers, tribal representatives, and even celebrities, on multi-day rafting expeditions down the Yampa. These journeys, often through the rugged wilderness of Dinosaur National Monument, aim to immerse participants in the river's austere beauty and ecological significance. The hope is that by experiencing the river firsthand – witnessing bighorn sheep, beavers, and moose, and observing the ancient geological formations – these individuals will become powerful advocates for its protection, recognising its intrinsic value as one of the last wild places.