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<br />3. RESOURCE VALUES <br /> <br />The Arkansas River Basin is a major tourism and recreation destination area in Colorado. <br />The area offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities attracting visitors from across the <br />State and Country. Water-based recreation within the study area occurs on the Arkansas <br />River as, well as on the reservoirs located at the upstream and downstream ends of the study <br />area (Turquoise and Twin Lakes, Clear Creek Reservoir, and Pueblo Reservoir). <br /> <br />3.1. River Recreation <br /> <br />The Arkansas River provides outstanding whit~water boating and trout fishing opportunities. <br />The river is one of the most popular whitewater boating rivers in the United States <br />supporting over 280,000 boaters in 1994. The river is also renowned for its outstanding <br />trout fishery (particularly Brown Trout) which attracted over 16,000 anglers in 1994. <br /> <br />In recognition of the river s recreational values, The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area <br />(ARRA) was created in 1988. The AHRA is managed jointly by Colorado State Parks and <br />the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in accordance with the Arkansas River Management <br />Plan completed in 1992. <br /> <br />The Arkansas River Management Plan identifies river recreation management priorities for <br />six specific river segments from Leadville to Pueblo Reservoir. These six river segments and <br />the primary recreation values associated with each are displayed in Table 3.1. <br /> <br />Angling opportunities are outstanding, throughout the river corridor. Opportunities for wade <br />fly angling are particularly good in Segments 2 and 3, due to a predominance of shallow <br />water habitat and easy public access. Float fishing is popular in Segments 3,4, and 6. Bait <br />and lure angling are particularly popular in Segment 3. <br /> <br />Whitewater boating activities on the river consist of both private and commercial users. <br />Commercial rafting activities are focused in three segments of the river: Browns Canyon <br />(Segment' 2); Pinicale Rock (Segment 4); and Royal Gorge (Segment 5)." Over 60 <br />commercial outfitters are permitted to operate on the river. Private boating (rafting and <br />kayaking) is also concentrated in these three segments, but is common in other areas, <br />particularly the Numbers (Segment 1). Whitewater boating opportunities (particularly <br />commercial opportunities) attract large numbers of visitors to the Arkansas River and playa <br />significant role in the regional economy. <br /> <br />Arkansas River Water Needs Assessment <br />Recreation Report - Draft <br /> <br />Page 3 <br />September 20, 1996 <br />