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<br />
<br />Over the last decadc, the CDOW's Wildlife Commission has been faced with adapting the management of
<br />the state's fisheries resource in response to numerous challenges facing it. These challenges include but are
<br />not limited to whirling disease, changes in fish hatchery production, limited natural reproduction and reduced
<br />fish availability for stocking. To heJp better manage these valuable fisheries resources, the CDOW Wildlife
<br />Commission has reviewed and implemented a variety of regulations. The following regulations currently
<br />apply to the Yampa River in the Steamboat Springs vicinity;
<br />
<br />Downstream of Stagecoach Dam, 0.6 mile to Walton Creek (excluding Catamount Lake). Artificial flies
<br />and lures only and a bag and possession limit of two trout.
<br />
<br />Walton Creek, downstream 4,8 miles to the James Brown (Soul Center of Universe) Bridge in Steamboat
<br />Springs. Artificial flies and lures only, and all trout upon being caught must be immediately released into
<br />the water.
<br />
<br />Another fishery concern, and the focus of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, is
<br />the protection of endangered fish species, primarily downstream of the study area. The program proposes
<br />a reduction in the numbers of non-native predators, specifically northern pike and small mouth bass, within
<br />the Yampa River. This reduction could result in a corresponding increase in the numbers of four threatened
<br />native species, which includes the Colorado pike minnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bony taiL
<br />Pilot projects will begin on the Yampa River between Hayden and Craig.
<br />
<br />
<br />Table 2-3. Comparison of pounds per surface acre of water for sport fish (Trout) elcctTOshocked at
<br />the five Colorado Division of Wildlife sample sites during September 2000.
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<br />4. Terrestrial Habitat Y
<br />
<br />Riparian habitats are critical to the life cycle of many species. In Routt County, riparian areas provide habitats
<br />to over 70% of the wildlife species that reside in the Yampa Valley for at least a portion of the year. General
<br />habitat types within the study area include;
<br />
<br />Water
<br />Wetlands
<br />Grassland
<br />Wetland/riparian shrub
<br />
<br />Upland shrub
<br />Wetland/riparian woodland
<br />Upland woodland
<br />Urban
<br />
<br />Water habitats along the Yampa River are defined as those habitats comprised of open waters, which include
<br />a number of small ponds adjacent to the river as well as the river itself. These water areas provide important
<br />habitats for aquatic invertebrate species, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. A wide variety of bird
<br />species, particularly neotropical songbirds and waterfowl, rely heavily on the water habitats provided along
<br />the Yampa River. Many wildlife species utilizing these water habitats depend entirely on the availability and
<br />quality of these habitats for their necessary life cycles, specifically dietary and reproductive specialization.
<br />
<br />Wetlands are found in small areas along the river. Emergent vegetation, such as sedges and spikerush,
<br />are commonly found in these areas, as well as the invasive species reed canary-grass. Wetland areas
<br />provide important habitats for aquatic invertebrate species, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals,
<br />Amphibians and a wide variety of bird species, particularly neotropical songbirds and waterfowl, rely heavily
<br />on the wetlands found along the Yampa River. Many wildlife species utilizing these wetland areas depend
<br />significantly on the availability and quality of these habitats for their necessary life cycles, specifically dietary
<br />and reproductive specialization. Wetlands also play an extremely important ecological function by providing
<br />flood attenuation, water storage, and nutrient/contamination filtering.
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<br />Grassland habitats are found dispersed within the other upland plaDt communities throughout the Yampa
<br />River corridor. These grassland habitats provide valuable food sources for grazing livestock and wildlife,
<br />particularly mammals. In addition to meeting forage needs, these grassland areas also provide important
<br />nesting habitats for a variety of bird species. Numerous wildlife species also rely on these grassland habitats
<br />to provide a necessary buffer zone from the human activities that often occur in close proximity to these areas.
<br />
<br />Wetland/riparian shrub areas are found scattered along the Yampa River corridor. The dominant plant
<br />species in this habitat type is Geyers willow. This plant community has important wildlife values. Some
<br />mammals and birds, particularly neotropical songbirds, depend significantly on the availability and quality
<br />of these habitats for their necessary life cycles, specifically dietary and reproductive specialization. lbe
<br />shrubland-wetland/riparian habitats along the Yampa River also provide a number of wildlife species with
<br />valuable movement corridors and butTer zones from nearby human activities. AddiJionally, these habitats are
<br />critical in natural riverbank stabilization processes.
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