Yampa River

About

Yampa River, Colorado — 1929 Echo Park Dam Defeated. From Routt and Moffat counties, the Yampa flows 250 miles as Colorado's last major undammed tributary to the Colorado River system, averaging 2,100 CFS with optimal flows between 1,000 and 6,000 CFS. The lower canyon cuts through Dinosaur National Monument, where Fremont petroglyphs mark pre-contact habitation. Through Steamboat Springs, the river offers Class II urban floating before building toward the multi-day wilderness sections. The Deerlodge to Echo Park stretch runs 3-5 days through Dinosaur National Monument with Class I-IV water, while Echo Park to Split Mountain hits consistent Class IV before joining the Green River. In 1869, the proposed Echo Park Dam was defeated in a major conservation victory that preserved the free-flowing character. Record low flows in 2022 highlighted the river's vulnerability to drought and upstream diversions. Commercial outfitters including Adrift Adventures and OARS run permitted trips through the monument sections. USGS gauge 09251000 tracks flows for trip planning.