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Fish and Wildlife The fish and wildlife resources of the Upper Platte River Basin have been influenced considerably by development. Irrigation, farming practices, municipal, and industrial uses of water have had both beneficial and adverse effects. Maintenance of suitable habitat for fish and wildlife is a major concern of both State and Federal wildlife officials. Portions of the Platte River drainage serve as migratory and over-wintering habitat for waterfowl numbering in the millions. In addition, endangered species such as the bald eagle and peregrine falcon migrate through the Platte drainage. Bald eagles also over- winter in certain areas. A portion of the Pl atte River has been decl ared crit i ca 1 hab i tat for the endangered whooping crane. Th is port i on of the Pl atte River serves as mi gratory stopover hab itat for cranes and has been designated as critical to their continued existence. The recent trend towards i ntens ive agricultural practices has resulted in a decline in the quality and quantity of habitat for wildlife. Fishing resources are also experiencing levels of degradation due to habitat reductions. The Pl atte River drainage contains cold-water species in the upper reaches, predominantly trout, and warm-water species in the mid-to-lower reaches. Most of the high quality warm- water fishing is found in the reservoirs. Habitat degradation generally occurs as a result of water withdrawals from the river or reservoir fluctuation due to water deliveries. The reservoir network has done much to stab i 1 i ze flows in the dra i nage and perpetuate a fi shery. The Upper Platte drainage has historically fluctuated widely in the river flows from a spring flood condition to almost dry in the lower reaches during the summer months (USGS, 1981). Reservoirs regul ate these flows, but subsequent use of the water for irrigation, municipal, and industrial purposes has reduced the water quality and quantity in the rivers. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has expressed a desire for a minimum flow between Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs. The quantity of water in the stream is now largely regulated by irrigation deliveries. It may be that the system operation can be modified to permit sufficient flows to sustain a viable fishery in this river reach. A study should be conducted to evaluate the flow requirements which would accommodate a quality fishery and meet reservoir operational needs. VIEWS OF THE STATES The three States within the study area have expressed a variety of views regarding comprehensive water planning opportunities, needs, and problems. Colorado has completed two of three phases of a "so-called" traditional State water plan--a resource inventory and legal framework. One of the State's near-term objectives is to prepare Phase III, The Water Resources Management Pl an. Comprehensive pl anning for management of the State's ground-water and surface water resources is intended to support the future economic and population growth of the Front Range area and to evolve means to equitably solve water-use conflicts through policy guidance and legislation. 36