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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cover, recreation site development that results in loss of habitat, disruption, harassment of wildlife, and human waste disposal. Wildlife Use Patterns Some species of wildlife use the riparian area year round, these include mammals, amphib- ians, reptiles, crustaceans, birds, inverte- brates, and fish. Other wildlife may use the area only seasonally for a variety of purposes such as migrating from their summer/fall range to wintering areas, or for breeding and rearing their young, as the Great Blue Herons do at the rookery located across the river from Eagle River Estates in Gypsum. Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and many other rap- tors use the area for wintering, roosting and hunting areas. Elk and deer usually calve and fawn within 400 feet of free flowing water usually on slopes with heavy vegetation, on the edge of an ecotone with a wide open field of view (Thomas, }.W. et aI., 1982). In the Eagle Valley these areas are usually on or near the tribu- taries of the Eagle River. Other wildlife that have been sighted in the riparian areas of the Eagle River include Greater Sandhill Cranes, moose, White Pelicans, Trumpeter Swans, Whooping Cranes, otter, beaver, mink, fox, weasel, mar- mots, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats and many species of songbirds. A complete list of wildlife using the watershed riparian areas is available at Division of Wildlife offices (Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1982). Fishery Characteristics The Eagle River is and has been a good cold water fishery but is not considered a "great" fishery. There are a number of reasons why the river does not excel in fish productivity: · Historically and presently there are times of the year when the river is running below minimum in-stream flows. This can cause a variety of problems for a fishery, including increasing water temperatures, which in turn stresses the fish, making them susceptible to dis- eases and parasites. During the past few years the Eagle River has had fish die- offs (or "fish kills") during the low water times, most typically in the during the summer. The cause of the die-offs has been diagnosed as the disease furuncu- losis. Furunculosis is a fungus infecting fish during times of stress. The low flow rates during the winter create a problem of limiting over-wintering habitat for the fish. The Eagle River does not have abundant, deep pools where fish can survive the winter. · There is also a problem with sedimen- tation during the spring run-offs or after a strong rainstorm ("gully washers") The sediment during the spring buries any eggs that may have been laid thus pre- venting hatching. The sediment also covers potential spawning areas and many invertebrates thus restricting reproduction and decreasing food sup- plies. Drainages including Milk, Muddy, Alkali and Ute creeks are the main prob- lem areas. The geological make-up of these areas, with unstable sparsely vege- tated soils, steep slopes, and highly ero- sive soils are the major cause for of the sedimentation. Where the banks of the river in areas are without vegetation erosion adds to the sedimentation prob- lem. · Pollution from heavy metals plays a part in poor fish productivity in the upper Eagle River below Gilman. Runoff from golf courses, parking areas, roads, adjacent lands may greatly impact fish productivity and survival. Iii~ - "" - . / - ' 45