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