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1 August 1000 CR WC.D * Yxnpz Ricer Basin Small Resen= Study - Phase 1 Repan * Page ? 26 ' Considerable bank slumping into the creek was noted along actively eroding portions of the creek channel. Aquatic habitat within the creek channel consists primarily of riffles and runs. Few pools and rock drop structures were noted in the creek Average stream width is 8 to 10 feet, and bottom substrate was composed primarily of sand, gravel, and small cobbles. Incidental observations ' indicated the presence of small minnow species, and the stream was judged to provide potentially suitable habitat for brook trout. ' Evidence of beaver tree cutting was noted in areas supporting narrow-leaf cottonwoods, but no beaver dams or beaver ponds were observed in the stream channel. The Little Bear 1 reservoir site is too low to support a population of boreal toads, and no areas of suitable still water breeding habitat ' were found at this site. According to USFWS survey guidelines (November 23, 1992), the Little Bear 1 reservoir site is above the upper elevation distribution limit for the Ute ladies'-tresses orchid t 4.1.3.2 Little Bear 2 Reservoir Site (Site 42) General The Little Bear 2 site is located north of Craig in the Fortification Creek drainage basin, as indicated in Figure 6, Field Reammsmur Sites in the Louer Ym" Riter Study Area. It is accessed via Colorado Highway 13 and County Road 27. The site is located along County Road 27, approximately 2 miles ' northeast of the Little Bear 1 site. The dam would be located at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, as shown in Figure 11, Little Bear 2 Reserwir Site. The property is privately owned with land use being primarily agricultural/ranching in nature. As ' with the Little Bear 1 site, a reservoir at this location could potentially serve several downstream agricultural users on Little Bear Creek and Fortification Creek. At the public meeting held in Craig on ' June 6, 2000, several participants expressed interest in the development of this site. As discussed previously, most of the Little Bear Creek streamflow occurs as spring snowmelt runoff and by mid- to late summer, the stream is often dry. As with the Little Bear 1 site, capture and ' storage of early season runoff at Little Bear 2 would provide additional water during the typically dry late summer season. While flow data are not currently available on Little Bear Creek, flow records from Fortification Creek near Craig indicate that the overall basin yield is in the neighborhood of 8,500 acre-feet per year and 250 acre-feet per square mile. Based on overall basin yields, yield at the ' reservoir site is estimated at 3,550 acre-feet per year. ' During the site visit on June 20, Little Bear Creek was flowing. The streambed in the vicinity of Little Bear 2 was armored with sand and weathered bedrock in sections. The flow gravels cobbles , , , appeared clear, with little sediment load from upstream sources or from bank erosion/undercutting. ' Physical Characteristics /Dam Siting Little Bear Reservoir 2 would dam Little Bear Creek approximately 4 miles above its confluence with ' Fortification Creek and 2 miles above the proposed Little Bear 1 reservoir site. The right side of the Little Bear 2 dam and reservoir would contact the Wasatch formation, while the left abutment and a portion of the reservoir would cover the toe of a historic landslide. This landslide ' deposit extends eastward for approximately one mile to the escarpment of McIntruf Mesa. Soils in the Little Bear 2 reservoir area have been identified as Abor silty clay loam, Binco gravelly clay loam, Cochetopa loam, Cochetopa- Bulkley stoney loam, Herm-Fughes complex, Lander loam, and Morapos Loam. These soils are typically residuum or colluvium derived from shale with a moderate 1 ? Momgvroy Watwn * P.O Box 774018 * Suwnhut Springs, Colorado 80477 * (970) 879-6260 ' W/WP10551q Z AR Pw 081301WH