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'.... _ _ . ..J' ) 200,000 mallards and thousands of geese (Weber, 1981). Substantial sandh i 11 crane use occurs on the lower reach of the South Pl atte in Nebraska, primarily during fall migrations. Threatened and Endangered Species.--The bald eagle is the only federally listed endangered species commonly encountered along the South Pl atte. Bald eagles have historically used the South Platte River and adjacent reservoirs as wintering habitat. Studies by Fitzgerald (1979) indicate that the 23-mile reach from the bridge at the town of Masters, Colorado, to the proposed Narrows damsite is of prime importance to eagles, having one of the hi9hest concentrations of wintering bald eagles in the St ate. The American peregrine falcon, a federally 1 isted endangered species, has historically nested in the North and South Forks of the South Platte. Portions of these two drainages have been designated by the State of Colorado as essential nesting and/or hunting habitat for the peregrine. These areas mayor may not be used currently as nesting sites by peregrine falcons. Both the black-footed ferret and whooping crane, federally listed endangered species, have historically been found in the vicinity of the South Platte, though no sightings have occurred in recent years (Masek, 1979A). Colorado lists the river otter as endangered. As part of an otter recovery program, the Colorado Oivision of Wildlife released several otters on the South Platte River below Cheesman Dam, and lists the river between Lake Cheesman and Deckers, Colorado, as essential habitat for the river otter. The white pelican, 1 isted as a threatened species in Colorado, utilizes the South Platte River and several offstream reservoirs in the vicinity of Fort Morgan, Colorado. Riverside Reservoir, which supports a nesting colony of white pelicans, has been desi9nated by the State as essential habitat. The greater sandhill crane and the greater prairie chicken, both listed as endangered species in Colorado, may occasionally utilize habitats adjacent to the South Platte. The interior least tern 1 isted as a threatened species by the State of Nebraska may be found along the lower reaches of the South Platte River. State and Federal Wildlife Areas.--Currently, there are no national wi ldl ife refuges or other Federal wildlife lands adjacent to the South Platte River. State-owned or deeded lands along the South Platte .in Colorado are managed by the Oivision of Wildlife for one or more of the following objectives; huntin9, fishing, boating, hiking, bird-watching, wildlife observation, bird dog training, camping, trapping, outdoor education, 17