Yampa Basin Rendezvous
Sharing knowledge regarding climate variability in the Yampa River Basin.
In 2018, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council partnered with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), Colorado Mountain College (CMC), Friends of The Yampa, and Steamboat Resorts, to co-organize the Yampa Basin Rendezvous (YBR).
The conference is highly collaborative, science-based, and focuses on water and weather in the Yampa River Basin.
The event is now in its seventh year and provides an opportunity to explore relevant research and foster discussions in the Yampa River Basin to help inform management decisions and build collaboration. Find more information and register below for the 7th annual Yampa Basin Rendezvous, on May 29th & 30th, 2024.
For more information, contact madison@yvsc.org.
YBR Mission
The YBR strives to be an opportunity for reflection, communication, appreciation, and collaborative, interactive learning about the Yampa Basin ecosystems, environment, weather, climate, people, and culture and their intersections, for members of the Yampa Basin community as well as all the communities downstream who rely on the Yampa’s water.
YBR
Goals
Connect students, researchers, institutions, and community members who live and work in the Yampa River Basin to share knowledge regarding climate variability and change that has impacts on the environment, people and the economy. Build community and encourage collaborative problem-solving and planning, and provide an opportunity for citizens and visitors to be informed about the state of the Yampa Basin and the people and plans in place and in process to protect it.
2024 Conference
On May 29-30, 2024 we will co-host the seventh-annual Yampa Basin Rendezvous —Connecting the Drops: Linking Weather, Watersheds, and Communities for a Resilient Water Future at Colorado Mountain College, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The Rendezvous will include morning talks by expert panelists and practitioners, lunch, afternoon field learning, and an evening community showcase and happy hour event. Join us if you are a community member, landowner, water and natural resource professional, student, or water-dependent business.
2023 Conference
On June 1-2, 2023 we co-hosted the sixth-annual Yampa Basin Rendezvous, featuring a dialogue on Snows, Flows, and Drought: Managing for Western Water Resilience at Colorado Mountain College, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This two-day event provided an overview of the record weather and water extremes that continue to define our present and future in the Yampa River Basin, and whether current water and riparian land management practices will lead to the resilient future we desire. The overarching goal was to provide a venue that encourages a science-based, community-centered approach to create informed, adaptive, proactive, and science-based management strategies for the Yampa Basin’s natural resources and communities. The purpose statement for the 2023 conference can be found here. Our full agenda and speaker bios can be found here.
DAY 1 WELCOME AND PANEL 1: LOW-TO-NO-SNOW FUTURE
Welcome
JC Norling, Colorado Mountain College, Steamboat Springs
Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District
Moderator
Cara Piske, Airborne Snow Observatories
Speakers
Mu Xiao, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
Joel Atwood, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Kent Vertrees, Steamboat Powdercats, and Friends of the Yampa
PANEL 2: ADAPTATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND CAPACITY
Moderator
Aireona Raschke, CSU Center for Collaborative Conservation
Speakers
Daniel Boyes, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project
Melanie Kilpatrick, City of Craig, Colorado
DAY 2 WELCOME AND PANEL 3: PRESERVING COMMUNITIES AND CULTURE THROUGH WATER RESILIENCY
Welcome
Carrie Besnette Hauser, Colorado Mountain College
Moderator
Jennifer Wellman, The Nature Conservancy
Speakers
Celene Hawkins, The Nature Conservancy
Beatriz Soto, Conservation Colorado
Darwin Whiteman, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Moderator
Erica Gies, Author of “Water Always Wins”
Speakers
Jackie Corday, Corday Natural Resources Consulting
Cheryl Cwelich, Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District
2022 Conference
On September 22-23, 2022 we co-hosted the fifth Yampa Basin Rendezvous, Enhanced Observations for Water Resilience in the Yampa River Basin. The purpose statement for the 2022 conference can be found by clicking here. The Rendezvous included morning talks by regional experts, discussion panels, and afternoon field learning. We explored new water cycle observation tools, technologies, and partnerships with the goal of building sustainable water futures in the Yampa River Basin. You can view the agenda and read about our speakers from this past year here.
WELCOME AND PANEL 1: LOCAL & REGIONAL WATER PRIORITIES FOR RESILIENCE
Welcome
JC Norling, Colorado Mountain College
Moderator
Rob Hartman, RKH Consulting
Speakers
Andy Rossi, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District
Kelly Romero-Heaney, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Chuck Cullom, Upper Colorado River Commission
PANEL 2: WATER EFFICIENCY, VULNERABILITY, AND CRITICAL NEEDS
Moderator
Elissa Yeates, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Speakers
Keith Musselman, INSTAAR, University of Colorado Boulder
Michael Dettinger, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
Marty Ralph, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
STUDENT RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
The 2022 Yampa Basin Rendezvous hosted a special session highlighting original student research. Undergraduate and graduate students gave presentations focusing on drought, water, and weather in the west.
PANEL 3: TECHNOLOGIES FOR WATER RESILIENCE AND RESTORATION
Moderator
Tim Sullivan, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council
Speakers
Jeff Deems, Airborne Snow Observatories
Ellen Wohl, Colorado State University
Joel Sholtes, Colorado Mesa University
PANEL 4: WATER STEWARDSHIP & SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Moderator
Perry Cabot, Colorado State University Extension
Speakers
Paul Bruchez, Reeder Creek Ranch, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Kristen Rockford, Routt County Conservation District
Christina Welch, Colorado State University Extension
2021 Conference
The 2021 conference, A Dialogue on Drought, Water Availability and Conservation, was conducted on September 9-10 virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Participants examined the Yampa River Basin with a focus on drought and conservation. We explored the impacts of drought in the Yampa River basin, science behind the projected changes in water availability, and its effects on resource management and water conservation. The purpose statement for this year’s conference can be found here. Read more about our speakers here.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION – THE STATE OF DROUGHT
Welcome
JC Norling, Colorado Mountain College
Carrie Besnette Hauser, Colorado Mountain College
Speakers
Marty Ralph, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
Josh German, Bureau of Reclamation
Megan Holcomb, Colorado Water Conservation Board, State of Colorado
LATEST DROUGHT SCIENCE
Panel Moderator
Michael Dettinger, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
Speakers
Ben Livneh, CIRES, University of Colorado Boulder
Angeline Pendergrass, Cornell University
Chris Milly, U.S. Geological Survey
CURRENT WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Panel Moderator
Nicole Seltzer, River Network
Speakers
Mike Camblin, Maybell Irrigation District
Alyson Gould, Colorado Water Trust
Kevin Rein, Colorado Division of Water Resources
STRATEGIES FOR ADAPTATION AND ACTION
Panel Moderator
Elise Osenga, Aspen Global Change Institute
Speakers
Cary Talbot, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Kate Greenberg, Colorado Department of Agriculture
Rob Billerbeck, National Park Service
2020 Conference
The conference transitioned to a virtual webinar series in 2020 and focused on the theme of Measuring and Managing Seasonal Variability. Participants examined the Yampa River Basin with a focus on seasonal variability. The series explored the science behind projected changes in precipitation and temperature patterns and their effects on resource management, how we monitor and measure these changes, and whether or not our existing systems are capable of matching historical predictive skill for resource management.
The first webinar was an introduction to the 2020 series, understanding the Yampa River basin context. The webinar was moderated by Nathan Stewart (CMC) and included presentations from the following: Carrie Hauser (CMC), Marty Ralph (CW3E), Kent Vertrees (Friends of the Yampa and Steamboat Powdercats).
The second webinar, Changes in Measurement with a Changing Climate, explored why the tools we use to measure seasonal change are not providing us with the same predictive information as they have in the past. The webinar focused on understanding what our measurement data is showing us and finding ways to adapt our strategies to be more effective. The webinar was moderated by Madison Muxworthy (YVSC) and panelists included: Mike Dettinger (Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO)), Gannet Haller (University of Utah (UU), and Storm Peak Laboratory), Jeff Deems (National Snow and Ice Data Center and Airborne Snow Observatories).
The third webinar, Shifting Seasons and Precipitation, investigated the changes we are seeing in the Yampa River basin and how they are impacting our local and statewide watershed and forest health. The webinar was moderated by Mike Sierks (CW3E) and panelists included: Russ Schumacher (CSU and Colorado Climate Center), David Stahle (Arizona State University), Courtney Peterson (Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change).
The fourth webinar, Impacts of Seasonal Variability and Uncertainty, looked at anticipated changes in our economy, environment and way of life in the Yampa River Basin. The webinar was moderated by Tim Sullivan (The Nature Conservancy (TNC)) and panelists included: David Anderson (Colorado Natural Heritage Program), Todd Hagenbuch (CSU Extension), Aneesh Subramanian (UC Boulder).
2019 Conference
The 2019 conference was guided by the theme of Climate Projections and Building Community Resilience. Participants examined the Yampa River Basin through the lens of climate change and community resilience. To explore the science behind climate projections with a focus on the Yampa, learning how climate change is expected to impact various stakeholders in the Yampa, and what adaptation and mitigation plans are in place and where challenges remained. Panel discussions involved the following:
In addition to panel discussions, participants were encouraged to partake in various field trips these included the following:
2018 Conference
The first conference in 2018 focused on Western Weather, Environment, and Culture. The goal of this event was to establish connections between local expertise and historical knowledge to identify opportunities for future Yampa River basin-related collaboration and explore where more information and research was needed. Panel discussions involved the following:
In addition to panel discussions, participants were encouraged to partake in various field trips these included the following:
YBR Steering Committee Members:
Jenny Frithsen, Current Co-Chair, Friends of the Yampa (2022-2024)
Garrett Mcgurk, Current Co-Chair, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2023-2024)
Emily Burke, Current Co-Chair, Friends of the Yampa (2024)
Jacob Morgan, Current Co-Chair, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2024)
Nathan Stewart, Colorado Mountain College (2018-2024)
Madison Muxworthy, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (2020-2024)
Holly Kirkpatrick, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (2021-2024)
Jenny Frithsen, Friends of the Yampa (2022-2024)
Ellen Knappe, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2023-2024)
Halie Cunningham, Yampatika (2023-2024)
Andrew Baur, The Nature Conservancy (2024)
Brian Murphy, River Network (2024)
Si Axtell, Colorado Mountain College (2024)
Patrick Stanko, Community Agriculture Alliance (2024)
Previous YBR Steering Committee Members:
Marty Ralph, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2018-2023)
Sarah Jones, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation (2018-2023)
Anna Wilson, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2018-2022)
Matt Jost, Colorado Mountain College (2018-2021)
Mike Sierks, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2018-2021)
Tim Sullivan, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (2020-2021)
Tony Urbick, Steamboat Resorts by Vacasa (2018-2021)
Kent Vertrees, Friends of the Yampa & Steamboat Powdercats (2018-2021)
Lindsey Marlow, Integrated Water Management Plan and Yampa River Fund (2020-2021)
Jill Bergman, Artist (2021)
Holly Kirkpatrick, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (2021)
Leah Campbell, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, UC San Diego (2018)
Tina Evans, Colorado Mountain College (2018)
Carrie Henderson, Steamboat Resorts by Wyndham Vacation Rentals (2018)
Resources
You can find state climate data and research from the Colorado Climate Center here.
Click here to learn more about the Storm Peak Laboratory, an atmospheric research center based in Steamboat Springs, CO.
