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. ~.4~~ ~L~IJ 6 Project plans Indicate that releases from Narrows Reservoir would be suitable for the establishment of a fishery on about 5.5 miles of the South Platte River downstream from Narrows Dam. Average monthly releases would range from about 200 second-feet to about 1,700 second-feet. During extremely dry periods, releases would be reduced to about 50 second-feet, but this condition would be Infrequent and of short duratIon. Species of fIsh present would be simIlar to those In Narrows Reservoir. Access to this section of the river Is lImited; consequently, It Is estimated that fIshing would average about 1,000 man-days annually wIth the project. In summation, the project would result In a gaIn of 101,000 man-days of fIshing for a benefit of $151,500 annually. Table 2, Summary of WildlIfe, page 10, Indicates the estimated e s ng. WilDLIFE Without the Project . The area of project Influence on wildlife Includes 25,245 acres below the top of the flood pool of Narrows Reservoir. Wildlife resources would not be affected significantly on the downstream floodplain below Narrows Reservoir, on the 166,370 acres of Irrigated lands to be served by the project, or on Jackson Reservoir. land use In Narrows Reservoir sIte Is approximately as follows: crop- land, 31 percent; river-bottom pasture and timberland, 31 percent; wetlands, comprising river channel, dItches, ponds, and marshes, 12 percent; and roads, raIlroads, towns, farm homesteads, and waste areas, 26 percent. Principal crops raised are sugar beets, alfalfa, corn, beans, potatoes, and small grains. About 70 percent of the land below the top of the flood pool has high to moderate value for wildlife. Both mule deer and white-tailed deer are present within the Narrows Reservoir site. Due to the scarcity of suitable habitat, however, deer populations are low and support only a limited amount of hunting. Deer hunting In the proposed Narrows Reservoir site could be expected to remain Insignificant without the project. Pheasants, cottontails, bobwhites, mourning doves, fox squirrels, and Jackrabbits are the upland.game In the reservoir area. Croplands and marshes .In association with the river bottom provide excellent habitat for these species. Since land use patterns would not be expected to change In the foreseeable future without the project, .