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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Table 1. Comparison of Channel Stability and Fish Habitat Ratings from 1999 and <br />2005. <br />Blue River, Mt. Powell Ranch, Summit County, Colorado. <br /> Channel Stability Rating* Fish Habitat Rating** <br /> (lower score = better condition) (higher score = better condition) <br />Station 1999 2005 <br /> 1999 2005 <br />1- Upper above Hwy. 75 55 39 56 <br />9 @ Power Lines Good Good Good Excellent <br />2- Middle @ Bluffs 98 47 30 60 <br /> Fair Good Good Excellent <br />3- Lower @ Old 84 68 36 53 <br />Boundary Fair Good Good Excellent <br /> <br />*Channel Stability Range: <38-Excellent, 39-76-Good, 77-114-Fair, 115+-Poor <br />** Fish Habitat Range: 50-60- Excellent, 40-49- Good, 30-39- Fair, 15-29- Poor <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Channel Cross Sections: <br /> <br />Comparative channel cross sections were completed in 2005 at sites identified and surveyed in 1999 <br />prior to completion ofthe blue River Fish Habitat Improvements. lllustrations of these cross sections <br />along with photos completed in 2005 can be viewed in Appendix Vll. Post-restoration survey of <br />channel cross sections illustrate significant changes to the general profile of each area of survey. <br />Cross sections show changes in the average and maximum depths of pools created, changes in cross <br />sectional area, reduction of width to depth ratios (especially at low flows), changes in the thalweg <br />depth and alignment, and changes to bank configuration including installation of erosion control <br />measures (Stations 2, 3, and 4). <br /> <br />Conclusion: <br /> <br />Scientific monitoring and comparison of before and after databases prove significant improvements <br />in the river habitat quality for trout. These improvements are already reflected in the resident trout <br />community. Results of monitoring indicate that the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch <br />presently supports 11.5 times the mean trout standing crop in 2005 that it supported before the <br />restoration in 1999. Trout average and maximum sizes have improved from 1999-2005. Stocking <br />and maintenance of adult brown trout to increase reproduction has been implemented by S.G. <br />Company since 2002. Indications that natural reproduction of brown trout in the Blue River through <br />the Mt. Powell Ranch is improving is illustrated in 2003 and 2005 data. Macroinvertebrate <br /> <br />Page 9 of 10 <br />