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the fisheries in these urban corridor streams more holding areas or fish habitat must be created without adding too much of an obstruction to cause flooding problems. . This reach of the Arkansas River has been significantly improved over the last several years as part ofthe Great Outdoors Colorado Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project (GOCO Project). The original stream channel was modified after the 1921 flood to minimize the chance of future flood damage. This resulted in a very sterile environment, providing little potential for fish habitat or recreational opportunities. The GOCO Project's goals were to change this corridor from a rarely used flood channel to a highly valued recreational amenity to the community. The Project included approximately 7.5 million dollars for fish habitat improvement work. The City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, U.S. Anny Corps of Engineers, Great Outdoors Colorado and the DOW all provided funding and expertise for the GOCO Project. To provide the needed additional habitat for fish without diminishing the ability of the channel to convey high flows, numerous channel modifications. including J. V and W-shaped weirs were added within the upper segment ofthis reach. Strategically placed boulders were positioned between the weirs as well as within the kayaking area. The combination of such structures and boulders has created a series of drop pools and eddies, allowing for fish passage and holding areas during high flows. These same structures also provide important pool habitat during periods oflow flow. As documented in the attached article "Extreme Makeover" ( , this project has taken a broad flat river which provided little habitat or cover for fish at the extreme ends of the flow regime and modified the channel to provide velocity shelters during the high flows and deeper pools during low flows. . This river segment along with the associated river corridor now provides substantial recreational opportunities including fishing, wildlife watching, boating, walking and biking. A bike path runs the length of the segment connecting Lake Pueblo State Park, located at the upper end ofthe study reach. and DOW's RunyanlFountain Lakes State Wildlife Area, located near the lower end of the study reach at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek. This river corridor is a significant asset to the City of Pueblo and to the local economy of the region. All recreation activities at Pueblo Reservoir and along the Arkansas River for several miles downstream of the dam are managed by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) under an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR). The DPOR estimates that 1.7 million people use the recreation aspects of Lake Pueblo State Park annually. In addition to the recreational opportunities and economic benefits identified above, the non-profit Pueblo Greenway and Nature Center (PGNC), located just downstream from the state park, provides the local community with educational programs relating to wildlife and their environment. This section of river provides an excellent setting for these programs. Bloloelcal Survev Data This reach of the Arkansas River is classified as a large river (over 100 feet wide) and fishery surveys indicate the stream environment of this reach of the Arkansas River supports black bullhead (Icta/urus me/as), central stoneroller (Campostomaanoma/um), channel catfish (lcta/rmls punctatus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio). fathead minnow (Pimepha/es prome/as). flathead chub (Hybopsis graci/is), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepediallum), green sunfish (Lepomis cyallellus), largemouth bass (MicroptenlS sa/moides), longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis), plains killifish (Fundu/us zebrinlls), red shiner (Cyprinella /lltrensis), sand shiner (Notropis stramineus), saugeye (Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense). walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), white crappie (Pomoxis allnll/aris), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), wiper (Morone saxatilis x M. . chrysops), rainbow trout (SaJnro gairdneri) and brown trout (Salmo trona). 1 Colorado Outdoors September-October 2005 Issue written by Karl Licis