WSP11446

• File Number: 8220.112.I
• Description: Dallas Creek Participating Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 10/1/1979
• Author: USDOI-BOR
• Title: Endangered Species Assessment: Dallas Creek Project Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

--.....

-

-- .

~--._.-.'

.~... ,~

- ~ . '.

K. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

.
.
I ' The Colo~ado Wildlife Commission has declared thirteen spec:ies of

j'
"
I

mammals and birds to be threatened or endangered in Colorado (Appendix B).

I

Only one endangered species, the peregrine falcon (Falco perel!rinus).

was observed in the area during the study. It is possible that the black-

footed .ferret (Mus tela nif:ripes). the river otter (Lutra canadensis) and

the wolverine (Gulo luscus) arc present.

On May 6. 1975, a peregrine falcon was observed along the Uncompahgre "

.

River at Ridgway.

The falcon. believed to be a mature male, was observed

~

for one.bne-hal! hours. Most of this time he was observed nying among

the trees alighting only oceasionallr (Figure 33). He eventually new

~
"
€

northward down the river and was not observed again.

Later, a peregrine

!aleon was reported along the river just east oC Colona but attempts to

,
,
'.;;-
~I

.
observe'this bird were unsuccessful.

<

Attempts to locate nesting sites were

..

also ~1nsueeessful although there is an excellent possibility that nests exists

..,
"

in the Ridgway area.

i~_

"

~"
;;"

:rhe existanee oC river olters in the study area was suspected when

?".
~ ~,

tracks were observed ,along the Uncompahgre River north of Ridgway and

. i'~

at the Ridgway City, Ponds south of town in March, 1975, (Figure 34).

:~~
~~
;~
~
~
t,

.'

. '

Although a cast of these tracks were taken, they were too old {or a positive

identification by the Division's nongame specialist. Efforts to locate

fresh tracks or observe river otter above Ridgway were unsuccessful.

Additional attempts to locate this endangered species should be made.
"
_119-
.
-"- ...
" -".'0 ._~. .:-.. " . . .-...._~ .. ." ......._-. .

.-. . .