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<br />....... <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. <br /> <br />~~,_...=. <br /> <br />, f-" <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />t~~~_t <br />;..\ p. () A r <br /> <br />~".i_.~~_....a..~._..__.t.~ <br />.) I" j~ J :\J C") (". l.) I '..' " ;-.. U (~ <br /> <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. <br /> <br />o <br />c;J <br />c.;J <br />CJ:I <br />C,: <br />en <br /> <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. <br /> <br />C H ,\ I' T [ I~ <br /> <br />X '1 <br /> <br />I I <br /> <br />l' L ,\ ~~ 1'1 1 N (, <br /> <br />c (> \1 'I <br /> <br />() <br />