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<br />3734
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<br />RUEDI DAM AND RESERYOIR, COLO.
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<br />In sununary, Ruedi Dam and Reservoir will destroy a beautiful,
<br />high qualit.y, hea.vily used trout fishery with an u'"erage annual value
<br />of $60,000 j' create a fair-sized reserVOIr fisheI}' with an anHual value
<br />of $225,000; flJ1d increase downstream annual fishing values from
<br />$135,000 to $14,2,000. or a gain of $7,000. Annual without-the-project
<br />values total $195,000 a,nd with-the-project. values !j;:167,000, resulting
<br />in enhancement of $172,000. These values have been estimated to
<br />represent a 50-year period.
<br />The survey concludes that elfects of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir on
<br />big and Upltlnd game will be insi.b'11ificant, vut some habitat losses
<br />for waterfowl and aquatic fur animals would occur through inunda-
<br />tion of the t.hree small lakes in the resen"oil' area. Therefore, fut.ure
<br />ilnestigatioHs sholllcl include consicleratioll of a sn\)impol1ndTiJj:~nt on
<br />Huedi und/or Bagley Creeks for fish and wildlife conservation, or
<br />of wl1terfowl impl'O\~ements around :Missouri Heights Heservoir, 18
<br />miles northwest of the project area.
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<br />Recreation
<br />The recreational aspects of Ruedi Dam and Resen"oir have heen
<br />evaluated by reconnai::;sance by the National Park Service, Omaha,
<br />Nebr. A memorandum re-port dated August 14, lUt,O, fr01u that
<br />agenc)' is reproduced as appendix C of thi::; report.
<br />The National Park Sen"ice indicates that considerable recreation
<br />acti\"ity can be expected at the reservoir if operation is such as to
<br />maintain an adequate water surface and rather stable elevation during
<br />snmmer months. Public use like.ly will include picnicking, boating,
<br />fislling, hiking, and camping. There may RIso be a demand for sea-
<br />sona.! cabin sites which might be fulfilled if suitable laads, not re-
<br />quired for reservoir operat.ion Ol' public use, were avtlih\ble. It is
<br />estimated that $55,000 will be required for pro\'ision of minimmn
<br />basie facilities which can be yie'Wetl as a Federal responsihility.
<br />De\'elopment would include a public use area along the north shore
<br />of the resen"oir on a natural ridge east of Bagley Creek and. a fish-
<br />ing camp nt. n suitable location along :1 bay OIl the north shore. If
<br />any additional land is required for reLTention, as may be indicated
<br />by future studies, the costs would be additional to the $55,()00 esti-
<br />11latc. As the, potential recreation develupment would be on the north
<br />shore of (,he reservoir, the relocation of State Highway No. 104 along
<br />the north side would provide access to those facilities. 'Vhile details
<br />of the clam and reservoir const.ruction have not been definitely deter-
<br />mined it is probable that this highway would tmverse the reservoir
<br />on the north side.
<br />Est.imated annual costs of the recreat.ional facilit.ies would be
<br />$10,500, consist,in!! of $7,500 for administ.ration, operat.ion, and main-
<br />tenance and $:3,000 for replacement of fuC'-ilities, based upon nIllor-
<br />t.ization 0\"131' 25 years. The U.S. Forest Ser\"ice has indicnted, in
<br />accordance wit.h existing arrangements~ that it wonld administ.er the
<br />recreational facilities since Ruedi Reservoir is within t.he boundaries
<br />of the White River National Forest.
<br />In evaluating the potential public use of Ruedi Rese.rvoir, t.he Na-
<br />tiOlll,1 Park Service indicates that, visitation will depend largely
<br />upon access roads, fHlequate recreation facilities, and the quality of
<br />fishing. If t.hese requirements are met satisfactorily, annual yisitor-
<br />r;~351-60-----4
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