About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Yampa Valley Stream Improvement Charitable Trust (YVSICT) is to protect and enhance water quality, trout habitat and riparian areas of the Yampa Valley and adjacent drainages in northwest Colorado, and to educate the public and enhance awareness of environmental water issues.

Since 1985, YVSICT has implemented this mission, each year building on successful projects from prior years. YVSICT has worked successfully with local, state, and federal governments, as well as other non-profits and local entities.

YVSICT looks forward to future stewardship projects.

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River enhancement projects
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College scholarships awarded to Routt County students
0.5M+
Raised to support our mission

Overview of Recent Accomplishments

Chuck Lewis SWA Restoration Project

The Chuck Lewis SWA Restoration Project involved more than one million dollars of river improvements over a period of 10 years of fundraising and river work on the stretch of the Yampa River through the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area, just south of Steamboat Springs, transforming a wasteland into a world-class fishing environment.

Scholarships

The Trust has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to high school students in the Yampa Valley. We award scholarships based on need and the student’s desire to benefit the environment and the community.

Pleasant Valley Restoration Project

The Pleasant Valley Restoration Project involved more than $260,000 of river improvements on a reach of the Yampa River that is critical to the reproduction of a particular strain of disease-resistant trout, benefiting the entire state as well as the Yampa Valley.

Learn more about the Pleasant Valley Restoration Project

Butcherknife Creek Restoration Project

The Butcherknife Creek Restoration Project involved the enhancement of 2,300 linear feet of creek bed. In addition to the obvious environmental improvement, this project exposes and involves the youth from the community in a rehabilitation project with lasting educational benefits.

Learn more about the Butcherknife Creek Restoration Project

Project History & Achievements

2020's

2026

  • Phase I of the Hard Rock Open Space Restoration Project in progress. This involves review of existing data, hydraulic modeling and concept design.
  • Conversations in progress with adjacent landowners with goal of completing MOUs to extend the project along the south bank of the river.
  • Detailed site assessment and survey work expected to begin by August 2026.

2025

  • Discussions begin with stakeholders of the Hard Rock Open Space Restoration Project. This project will restore approximately ½ mile of severely degraded riverbank and riparian area in a publicly accessible area just to the west of Steamboat Springs. It will uplift the Yampa River and create robust in-channel and riparian areas, strengthening ecological resilience and helping to sustain the thriving agricultural and recreation-based economy of the Yampa Valley.
  • Memorandum of Understanding for the Hard Rock Open Space Restoration Project completed with the Steamboat II Metro District.
  • Contract signed with FlyWater, inc. for the design and build of the Hard Rock Open Space Restoration Project.

2024

  • Design-build plans completed by FlyWater, inc.
  • In-stream restoration work begins and is completed in the fall, before school begins.

2022

  • Discussions begin with stakeholders for the Butcherknife Creek Restoration Project. This project would improve the health, function, and recreational opportunities for 2,300 linear feet of Butcherknife Creek through the Steamboat Springs School District property in Strawberry Park. The trail along the creek is heavily used by students and the community and has been degraded from development and channelization from historic power company activities. The project will benefit in-stream habitat, biodiversity, and fishing, in addition to enhancing educational opportunities for students .
  • Memorandum of Understanding for the Butcherknife Creek Restoration Project completed with the Steamboat Springs School District.

2021

  • In-river restoration work begins at the Pleasant Valley Restoration Project.
  • Pleasant Valley Restoration Project completed on schedule and on budget of just more than $260,000.
  • Fundraising efforts from the Trust GolfTrout fundraising tournament and grant writing efforts net more than $260,000 for the Pleasant Valley Restoration Project.

2019

  • Memorandum of Understanding for the Pleasant Valley Restoration Project completed with the Bureau of Land Management.
  • Contract signed with FlyWater, inc. for the design and build of the Pleasant Valley Restoration Project.

2016

  • The Trust provides YVFF partial funding for their Burgess Creek Cutthroat Restoration Project.

2015

  • Preliminary design begins for the Pleasant Valley Restoration Project.

2014

  • Discussions begin with stakeholders for a new restoration project in Pleasant Valley. This project would improve the health and function of more than 4,300 linear feet of a BLM-owned reach of the Yampa River between Stagecoach Reservoir and Lake Catamount, including the recently acquired Hubbard Summer Camp property.

2013

  • Phases II and III of the Chuck Lewis SWA Restoration Project completed.
    • Funding source: Matching grant from CDW Fishing Is Fun program.

2009 thru 2012

  • In-river restoration work continues at Chuck Lewis SWA Phases II and III.
  • Fundraising efforts from the Trust GolfTrout fundraising tournament net more than $250,000 for Chuck Lewis SWA Phases II and III.

2008

  • In-river restoration work begins at Chuck Lewis SWA Phases II and III.

2007

  • Phase I  of the Chuck Lewis SWA Restoration Project completed.
  • Fundraising efforts from the Trust (YVSICT) GolfTrout fundraising tournament from the last five years net almost $200,000 for Chuck Lewis Phase I.
  • More than $40,000 in community grants and private donations awarded to the Trust for Chuck Lewis SWA Phase II.

2006

  • $15,000 private donation received to kick off fund raising for Chuck Lewis SWA Phase II.

2005

  • In-river restoration work begins at Chuck Lewis SWA Phase I in what is widely celebrated as one of the largest volunteer river restoration projects in Colorado history to date.
  • City of Steamboat Springs receives $150,00 grant from the CDW Fishing Is Fun program for Phase I of the Chuck Lewis SWA project.
  • Volunteers install 40 new Catch & Release posts and signs along Yampa River from Walton Creek to the James Brown Bridge.
    • Funding source: Grant from CDW.

2004

  • Memorandum of Understanding for Chuck Lewis Project completed with CDW.
  • Chuck Lewis SWA expands south along the Yampa River by 101 acres to include the former Lafarge North Pit gravel mine.

2003

  • Hydrology study for Chuck Lewis Project commissioned by the Trust.

2002

  • Discussions begin with the Colorado Division of Wildlife about a possible river restoration project at the new Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area. This project would enhance the Yampa River up- and down-stream from the Gilroy Bridge. Currently this is a wasteland populated by auto bodies and other metal debris. There is also an old dump site and mining pit. Based on positive responses from all stakeholders, fund raising begins.

2000 thru 2002

  • Facility enhancements and fish stocking completed at Fetcher Pond and Casey’s Pond.
    • Funding source: Grant from YVFF.

1999

  • Downtown section of the Yampa River stocked with 3,000 Tasmanian Rainbow and Soda Lake Brown trout.
    • Funding Source: Grant from YVFF.

1998

  • Eagle Scout Nathan Proper completes the Butcherknife Park Restoration Project
    • Funding sources: Grants from Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, Norwest Bank, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, the YVSICT and the YVFF.
  • Colorado Division of Wildlife grants Catch and Release status to the Yampa River between Walton Creek and the James Brown Bridge, following a two-year campaign.
    • YVFF volunteers post Catch & Release signage along regulated section of Yampa River.

1997

  • The Phase Eight project is completed on 1/2 mile of river behind what is now the Steamboat Mountain Lodge just south of Walton Creek Road. It includes a solar irrigated tree nursery.
    • Funding sources: Grants from Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, the CDW Fishing is Fun program, the USFS, and private donations.

1994 thru 1996

  • Additional low-water trout habitat improvements completed through downtown Steamboat Springs.
    • Funding sources: Grant from the Steamboat Donations Committee with matching grants from YVFF, the CDW Fishing Is Fun program and others.

1993

  • The Rotary Park restoration project is extended to Trafalgar/Emerald Park.
    • Funding sources: Grant from Steamboat Donations Committee with matching grants from numerous other sources.

1992

  • Almost a mile of badly eroded riverbank is stabilized by volunteers through what is now Rotary Park, the primary launching point for commercial tubing companies.
    • Funding sources: Grant from the CDW Fishing Is Fun program, with co-op funds from YVFF, Steamboat Donations Committee, City of Steamboat Springs and the Nature Conservancy.

1991

  • Native trees and shrubs planted, flood control structure and low water trout habitat improvements completed on 1/4-mile section of the Yampa through downtown Steamboat Springs.
    • Funding source: Grant from the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation.

1990

  • Electroshocking study by CDW from Rich Weiss Park to the 5th Street Bridge produces 165 trout where just 17 were recorded in 1985. CDW imposes two-fish limit to protect the resource, the first special limit regulation in the area.

1988

  • Volunteer restoration of spillway and bank erosion problems on Service Creek completed.
    • Funding source: Grant from the CDW Fishing Is Fun program.

1987

  • “Making the Most of Your Fishing Vacation in Steamboat,” the first brochure of its kind in Steamboat Springs is published.
    • Funding source: Grant from Steamboat Springs Chamber Summer Marketing Committee.
    • Partners: CDW and USFS.

1986   

  • Fish stocking and educational signage completed for Yampa Habitat Improvement Project
    • Funding source: Grant from Steamboat Springs Chamber Summer Marketing Committee.

1985

  • Yampa Habitat Improvement Project completed to improve trout habitat from what is now Rich Weiss Park down to the 5th Street Bridge. Electroshocking study by Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDW) produces just 17 trout.
    • Funding source: Grant from Steamboat Ski Corporation.
    • Partners: The Yampa Valley Fly Fishers and the Friends of the Yampa.