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<br />- <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />The information contained in this report and the associated instream flow file folder forms the basis for staffs <br />instream flow recommendation to be considered by the Board. It is staffs opinion that the information <br />contained in this report is sufficient to support the findings required in Rule 5.40. <br /> <br />Colorado's Instream Flow Program was created in 1973 when the Colorado State Legislature recognized "the <br />need to correlate the activities of mankind with some reasonable preservation of the natural environment" (see <br />37-92-102 (3) C.R.S.). The statute vests the CWCB with the exclusive authority to appropriate and acquire <br />in stream flow and natural lake level water rights. In order to encourage other entities to participate in <br />Colorado's Instream Flow Program, the statute directs the CWCB to request instream flow recommendations <br />from other state and federal agencies. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recommended this segment of <br />Horsefly Creek to the CWCB for inclusion into the Instream Flow Program. Horsefly Creek is being <br />considered for inclusion into the Instream Flow Program because it has a natural environment that can be <br />preserved to a reasonable degree with an instream flow water right. The BLM is very interested in protecting <br />streamflows because Horsefly Creek provides an important spawning habitat for the San Miguel River Fishery. <br /> <br />Horsefly Creek is a tributary of the San Miguel River and is approximately 26.5 miles long. It begins at the <br />crest of the Uncompahgre Plateau at an elevation of approximately 8,625feet, and terminates at the confluence <br />with the San Miguel River at an elevation of approximately 6,200 feet. The creek is located within Montrose <br />County. The total drainage area of the creek is approximately 110 square miles. Horsefly Creek generally <br />flows in a southwesterly direction. <br /> <br />The subject of this report is a segment of Horsefly Creek beginning at the confluence of Sheep Creek and <br />extending downstream to the confluence with the San Miguel River (see Figure 1). This segment is located <br />near the Town of Norwood. To date, the staff has received only one recommendation on Horsefly Creek, from <br />the Bureau of Land Management. The recommendation for the Sheep Creek to the San Miguel River segment <br />is discussed below. <br /> <br />Instream Flow Recommendation(s) <br /> <br />BLM's instream flow recommendation is for 15.25 cfs (April 1 ~ May 30), 10.25 cfs (June 1 ~ June 30) and <br />3.25 cfs (July 1 - March 31). <br /> <br />Land Status Review <br /> <br /> Total Length Land Ownership <br />Upper Terminus Lower Terminus (miles) % Private % Public <br />Sheep Creek San Miguel River 5.0 0% 100% <br /> <br />Approximately 100% of the reach is located on federal lands managed by the BLM. <br /> <br />Biological Data <br /> <br />The BLM has conducted field surveys of the fishery resources on this stream and have found a natural <br />environment that can be preserved. As reported for this reach of stream in the letter to the CWCB "Fishery <br />surveys indicate that the stream environment is in stable condition. The stream supports a self-sustaining <br />rainbow trout and speckled dace fishery. Spawning substrate, food availability, and water temperatures are <br />generally good for salmonids. However, low flows are common in the late summer and fall and the stream <br />occasionally experiences flash flooding. (See BLM Fish Survey in Appendix B). <br /> <br />- 2 - <br />