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. community monitoring in the river from 1999 and 2005 indicates that the health of the river is good to excellent. Habitat availability in the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch during low flow periods is now excellent as estimated by trout habitat rating$ and river cross sections. Pool quality in the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch as dermed by Width has increased from 5%-10% of the bankfull width to pools being 20%-70% of the bankfull w~dth after restoration. Mean depths of the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch have improved as indicated by river cross sections, especially during periods of low flow. Pool quantity of the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch has improved from one pool every 2-3 bankfull width to a minimum of one pool every bankfull width and some areas more frequent than this. Channel stability ratings of the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch also substantiate that irriprovements have occurred. Anchor icing, which forced migration of fish into other areas of the river and to areas downstream in Green Mountain Reservoir during winter, has been alleviated in the project area. A primary benefit of the Blue River Fish Habitat Improvements has been creation oflong term, stable fish habitat that provides resident fish with the necessary habitat that allows them to reside at high standing crops during all seasons in the reach of the Blue River through the Mt. Powell Ranch without seasonal migration. Observations ofKokanee spawning runs prior to this project indicates that few fish made it through the reach of the Blue River on the Mt. Powell Ranch. Fall fishery sampling since completion of the Blue River Fish Habitat Improvements has identified large congregations of Kokanee salmon in areas on the upper end of the Blue River on the Mt. Powell Ranch near Slate Creek. . It is reasonable to deduce from monitoring that as a result of the Blue River Fish Habitat Improvements the Blue River is capable of supporting the resident biota and environment to a reasonable degree at flows lower than those predicted and adjudicated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board in its Instream Flow Decree (Case No. 87CW298) for this reach. Furthermore, due to increases in riparian/fishery habitat availability, increases in riparian vegetative diversity (oxbow ponds and wetlands), and re-connection of the river with floodplain habitats; that if operated with a reasonable flow-sharing agreement the Colorado Water Conservation Board's ability to protect the environment to a reasonable degree is enhanced by this project. Page 10 of 10 .