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. Diversions and culverts also can impair a fishery by creating barriers to fish movements and migrations. The Eagle River has been stocked with Rainbow and Cutthroat trout at severalloca- tion~ to supplement or replace natural repro- ductIOn of the fishery. Rainbow and Brown trout are the two dominant trout species found in the river. Brook and Cutthroat trout are also present as are several types of suck- er~, chubs, whitefish and sculpin. Many of the p:Ivately owned ponds (e.g. reclaimed gravel PItS) next to the river are now stocked with a variety of species including large and small mouth bass, sunfish, perch, and catfish. These other species may impact the long term survivability of the trout. Gore Creek is currently rated as a "Gold Medal" fishery below Red Sandstone Creek. The designation requires a certain level of fish productivity within a given area. Considering the obstacles noted above regarding the river, it remains to be seen if the Eagle River can achieve and maintain that s.tat~s. It certai~ly is a worthwhile target and tIes Into the objective of improving the fishery outlined below. 6.3 WILDLIFE OBJECTIVES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 6.3.1. OBJECTIVE: Improve Aquatic Habitat and Productivity of the Fishery Recommended Actions (also see Water QuantifY and Water QualifY chapters) 1. IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY 46 ii~ -", - . / - ' Most of the following actions are also described in Chapter 4: Water Quantity ~nd Chap~er 5: Water Quality. They are lIsted agaIn here to illustrate how critical water quantity and quality are to a healthy aquatic habitat and cold-water fishery. 1. Determine and Maintain Optimum Water Flow Levels: Instream flows fall below minimum levels at certain times of the year. The minimum flows established by the Colorado Water Conservation Board may not be sufficient to maintain the fishery during certain times of the year. Optimum stream flows need to be identified and management plans made to match the target amounts. The first course of action is to work with the CWCB and the CDOW to evaluate the local minimum stream flow calculations to determine the defensibility and adequacy based on scientific princi- ples, then determine if minimum flows are appropriate or require adjustment to more accurately reflect the natural hydrological cycle. Identify all major and minor water user's in the watershed, note diversions and consumptive uses. 2. Implement Engineering Solutions: Promote engineering solutions which increase the flexi- bility of a sharing/distributing water a~ong various providers and pro- VIde water augmentation during low flow periods of the year. 3. Acquire Water Rights: Purchase or enter other agreements for water rights to ensure optimum flows. 4. Implement Town and Water District Conservation Programs 5. Require ''Wet Water" for Development: Require that all development proposals prove avail- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .