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CONTENTS (Cont'd) II Lands recommended for purchase to mitigate wildlife losses, Wagon Wheel Gap reservoir. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. 31 Page III Much of the Rio Grande from South Fork upstream to the Wagon Wheel Gap reservoir headwaters is well shaded and lined with alder brush and conifers, as typified by this area immediately above the reservoir site. Such river mileage is attractive and accessible to fishermen and the stream borders support an abundance of game forage . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. 32 IV Immediately above Wagon Wheel Gap, only the right bank of the Rio Grande is open to public fishing (left in photograph); the left bank is posted against trespass. During high flows in a good water year. the river within the reservoir site can be a challenging stream in which most fishing is restricted to the barlks.. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. . . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 V As viewed from the highway bridge seven miles below La Sauses, the Rio Grande is an open and slow flowing stream. These ' August floW5 were below average but are nevertheless indica- tive of why the lower reaches of the river within the project area are fished mostly during the winter . . . . . . . . . .. 34 VI Bellows Creek flows have been partly diverted into four man- made trout ponds to provide sport fishing and to supplement a stream-improvement program on the stream itself. Waterfowl use this area heavily and both the stream sides and slopes provide valuable big-game winter range. Only the lower slopes shown will be inundated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35 VII As evident at more upstream Rio Grande reservoir, appreciable sedimentation and a braided stream channel are expected for Wagon Wheel Gap reservoir. Although some utilization is expected during low water levels and volunteer vegetation will contribute to reservoir fertility upon reinundation, fluctuations will be extremely detrimental to beaver and other fur-animal habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 VIII Except for an expected reduction in turbidity, project flows during July and AugUllt will resemble flows such as thel!le below South Fork at the Gerrard Bridge. Such high water stages will restrict fishing opportunities during what was formerly the height of the fishing season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 IX As indicated by the section between Wason and Deep Creek, much of the Wagon Wheel Gap reservoir site consists of an overgrazed flat valley bottom possessing little food or cover for big game in winter or upland game in summer. . . .. 38 X The west fork of Bellows Creek is good winter range for game and supports an abundance of browse, particularly on the lower and more heavily timbered north-facing slopes. Elk and deer migrate through this area en route to the Rio Grande Valley and the Goose Creek area . . . . . . . . . . . . i,'''' !" ,i".'~' "';',.J"';t 39 viii