A story from the Nature Conservancy
Published May 2024 by the Nature Conservancy
A lot depends on the Yampa River in northwest Colorado. The river provides irrigation water for farming and ranching, creates habitat for fish and wildlife and supports the boating and outdoor recreators who contribute to local economies. However, drought and low flows have impacted all who rely on the river.
That’s where the Maybell diversion comes in. Located west of Craig toward Dinosaur National Monument, Maybell has one of the largest irrigation diversions on the Yampa River, providing water for 18 agricultural producers through a series of lateral ditches that extend across 2,500 acres. TNC has been working with the Maybell Irrigation District since 2017 to rehabilitate the diversion and modernize the headgate…