Water flow releases from Stagecoach Reservoir to boost the lower summer flows of the Yampa River began July 29 with the initial order of 1,000 acre-feet of water — 326 million gallons — at a rate of 10 cubic feet per second for instream flow use.

According to the nonprofit Colorado Water Trust, the flow rate of the releases was increased Aug. 2 to 45 cfs.

The Colorado Water Trust can release water out of Stagecoach Reservoir thanks to a 10-year temporary lease for instream flow use water delivery agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. That includes the contractual opportunity to purchase up to 5,000 acre-feet of water this year if the upper Yampa River needs additional flow.

According to officials at the water trust, they anticipate 2024 may be their biggest year yet.

The trust aims to purchase and release up to 1.6 billion gallons to the upper Yampa River when the river needs boosted flows to lower temperatures, protect fish and hold off recreational closures.

The project is in partnership with the conservation board, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District and Steamboat Springs to support a healthy Yampa River, the fish and wildlife that depend on it and the municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational uses of the river.