The Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District was formed in 1966 to provide legal authority to plan and construct water conservation projects in the Yampa Valley. Yamcolo and Stagecoach Reservoirs represent two major water conservation projects constructed by the District. The district boundries includes most of Routt County and a portion of Moffat County.

Stagecoach  Reservoir captures snow melt and releases it into the Yampa River to supplement low flows and furnish a reliable year-round water supply for agricultural irrigation as well as for municipalities, industry and hydropower generation. This project was conceived in 1983 by the Board of the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District and designed to provide a reliable source of water for the growing population and economy of Northwest Colorado.

Agricultural Water Supply

Productive hay and pasture lands on the head waters of the Yampa River Basin were always short of irrigation water.  The need for a reservoir to provide a reliable source of water for the entire growing season was apparent.  In the drought year of 1977 with little or no flow in the river, several ranchers did not harvest a single bale of hay.  And having no winter feed, they had to sell their herds.

Yamcolo Reservoir

The Yamcolo Reservoir, completed in 1980 was the solution to irrigated agriculture and cattle ranching in the upper end of the valley. Since then there has been an ample supply of water.

River and Diversion Projects  During late July and August, the Yampa River drops so low that it is impossible for ranchers to divert irrigation water into their ditch headgates.  The ranchers build temporary dams in the river to raise the water level to permit flow into the headgates, but these dams wash out every year causing excessive erosion and environmental damage.  The District has embarked on a program to eliminate those dams which impede fish and boat passage and degrage the stream.  This is done by building permanent diversion structures or by moving the headgates upstream.

Water storage available for sale

The Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District has 125 AF of Yamcolo Enlargement water storage available for sale for the 2012 irrigation season only, terminating on November 1 2012. The price is $6.75/AF and purchasers must be able to apply the water to a recognized agricultural beneficial use within the boundaries of the District.  Applications may be submitted by mail to P.O. Box 775529 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Applications must be received in the offices of the District no later than Friday April 27 2012 3:00 PM. The application is available by clicking on the link below.