Headwaters of the Colorado
Wildfire Ready Action Plan
Project Timeline:
2025 - Present
Total Project Area: 1,489,000 acres
Main Partners:
Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative
Western Resilience Center
US Forest Service
Colorado State Forest Service
WRAP Project Area
The Wildfire Ready Action Plan is focused on the impacts from post-wildfire hazards and examines the long-term risk that is posed by ecosystem changes over time. The Headwaters of the Colorado project area encompasses the main tributaries of the Yampa River in Northern Routt County and Southern Wyoming, including the following focus areas: Elk River, Elkhead River/Fortification Creek, Upper Little Snake River, Lower Little Snake River
The Wildfire Ready Action Plan includes the following analyses & deliverables:
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The final Wildfire Ready Action Plan document presents the full analysis and technical information from the project, as well as pre- and post-fire project recommendations.
Access the WRAP document HERE (coming soon).
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The stream conditions assessment documents the existing physical and biological stream conditions completed through desktop analysis for the entire study area. This document supports the identification of priority stream reaches for which more detailed hydrologic, hydraulic, and/or fluvial hazard analysis were conducted. This assessment also led to the identification of potential sites for pre-fire projects and post-fire actions.
Access the complete document HERE (coming soon).
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The Watershed Hazard Assessment focuses on the impacts stemming from wildfire risk and potential post-fire hazards, and examines the long-term risk that is posed by ecosystem changes over time.
This assessment analyzes and ranks hazards by 7th level watershed, providing a prioritization framework for identifying specific areas for targeted management actions.Access the complete assessment HERE (coming soon).
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Stillwater Sciences completed the Hydrologic and Hydraulic modeling for the Headwaters of the Colorado WRAP. This document presents the results and detailed methodology of the pre- and post-fire hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for select regions of the project area.
Access the memorandum HERE (coming soon). -
Stillwater Sciences completed the Fluvial Hazard Zone (FHZ) delineation and analysis for three stream reaches within the Headwaters of the Colorado WRAP project area.
This document includes the FHZ mapping and assessments for select regions of the project area.
Access the memorandum HERE (coming soon). -
Post-fire debris flow hazards were estimated for all 7th level watersheds in the Headwaters of the Colorado WRAP project area. This information provides guidance for planning and mitigation of debris flow hazards in a post-fire scenario.
Access the memorandum HERE (coming soon). -
The susceptibility analysis is an intersection of various Values at Risk (VARs) and post-fire hazards in the Headwaters of the Colorado WRAP project area. This analysis helps identify the locations most at-risk for post-fire impacts to critical infrastructure within the project area which aids in prioritization of recommended actions.
Access the analysis HERE (coming soon).
To request project information or documents, please email Brad Piehl.