HAYDEN, Colo. – Summer melt off from the record setting snowpack in the Yampa Valley is creating flood conditions along the Yampa River and its tributaries. As a result, Yampa River State Park Tuesday closed river access where flooding is occurring and in those areas with existing high water hazards. All river access managed by Yampa River State Park will remain closed until river levels subside and users can safely navigate the Yampa River.
Large amounts of debris are currently floating in the river, causing safety hazards for rafters, kayakers and other boaters. Additional hazards exist because the majority of the bridges on secondary roads and the railroad bridges do not have adequate clearance to allow safe passage for watercraft going under the bridges.
In addition to river access closures, the high waters will curtail visitor use of the facilities at the Yampa River Headquarters Campground and no reservations for the campground will be accepted until June 25. High fluctuations in the river levels will determine the timing and availability of the camping and day use facilities. For more information please check our web site. www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Yampa
Source: Colorado State Parks