The Yampa River flows 250 miles 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, and flows through the heart of the City of Steamboat Springs.
The Yampa River is a vital element of the community. Its presence in the heart of the city is one of the prominent characteristics that distinguishes Steamboat Springs from other mountain resort communities, and the river greatly contributes to the community’s year-round appeal. Few other communities enjoy such proximity to a major river with a high quality trout fishery, broad range of recreational opportunities and high level of scenic quality.