- Document the unique resources and values of the wild and free flowing Yampa River.
- Inform the public and policy makers about these values and what could be lost.
- Inspire people to protect the Yampa River for future generations.
YRAP is a group of local, state, national and international environmental organizations, businesses and individuals who recognize the unique natural and recreational values of the Yampa and have all pledged their support for maintaining the free flowing nature of the Yampa River for future generations.
Organizations we are working with on this project:
- American Rivers
- American Whitewater Association
- Colorado Environmental Coalition
- Colorado Outfitters Association
- Colorado River Outfitters Association
- Friends of the Yampa
- International Rivers
- National Parks Conservation Association
- Nature Conservancy
- Rivers Foundation of the Americas
- Sierra Club
- Utah Outfitters Association
- Wilderness Society
- World Wildlife Fund
This project was organized during the winter of 2006/07. A group of Yampa River advocates and specialists included those from the Rivers Foundation of the Americas came together in hopes of producing a documentary film to educate the public about the Yampa River, its special attributes and current water projects and proposals regarding this river. From today through its inception YRAP has initiated fund-raising and awareness building efforts including:
- Preparation for a 2012 agency familiarization river trip to bring together key decision makers in the development of alternatives for the protection of flows in the Yampa
- Filming and creation in 2011 of a second more comprehensive video of the Yampa River, sponsored by Adrift Adventures. This film is in production.
- Flew over the Yampa during historical flooding in June 2011 to document the epic event. View images here.
- Floated the Little Yampa Canyon with a group organized by the Wilderness Society and the Colorado Environmental Coalition. This stretch of the Yampa has been fond suitable by the local office of the BLM. Watch video from float here.
- Participated in planning workshops and discussions; and are building an informed constituency in Colorado, other states and countries.
- Monitored water proposals; attended and testified at numerous meetings; wrote letters to agencies commenting on proposals that might affect the Yampa.
- Assisted radio and newspaper reporters in completing articles on the Yampa. These efforts have resulted in newspaper articles and programs on National Public Radio. Use the links below to listen to the radio programs and view newspaper articles;
- 2011 KUNC program – Conservationists Mobilize to Protect River
- 2011 Denver Post article – Wild Yampa Canyon needs preserving
- 2011 Mountain Gazette article – Why I run rivers, lurk in dark places, dawdle in secret oases
- Yampa River Runs with Possibility And Protest – Kirk Siegler – KUNC – 06.22.2009
- Front Range Eyes Yampa River – Kirk Siegler – KUNC – 06.11.2009
- Yampa River Center of Latest Water Battle – Kirk Siegler – KUNC – 06.10.2009
- Widespread distribution of the original video to agencies, libraries, individuals and organizations.
- Created of a seven minute video on the Yampa’s attributes in 2007 titled “Secrets of a Free Flowing River”. Filming occurred on a 5 day rafting trip that was sponsored by Adrift Adventures.
- View the 2007 YRAP video on the Yampa “Secrets of a Free Flowing River”.
- View photos from the 2006 YRAP Yampa trip.
