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August 2000 CRWCD * Yampa Rice- Basin &nad Reservoir Surdy - Phase 2 Report * Page • 33 ' Soils in the area of the South Fork 2 reservoir site are similar to the South Fork 1 site and have been identified as Cochetopa-Gothic and the Routt-Cochetopa-Binco complexes on slopes ranging from 10 to 45 percent and an Adderton loam on slopes from 1 to 10 percent. The Cochetopa complex ' soils are extremely bouldery and soils comprised of colluvium and residuum derived from shale. The typical profile for these soils consists of a bouldery or stoney loam at the surface and grades into low plasticity clays at a depth of 20 to 30 inches. These soils are typically well drained with a high shrink- swell potential. The Adderton loam is an alluvial soil derived from sedimentary rocks. This soil is defined as a sandy to clay loam with low shrink-swell potential. Ecological Evaluation ' Riparian and wetland habitats at the South Fork 2 site are dominated by willow / sedge / rush communities restricted primarily to the immediate vicinity of the creek bottom. The other principal t habitat present within the proposed reservoir basin is smooth brome pasture. The majority of the reservoir site has been cleared of shrubs and planted to smooth brome. Mixed shrub habitats of big sagebrush, Gambel oak, and serviceberry are only present around the upper elevation perimeter of the ' proposed reservoir basin. Photo SFFR#2-3 (refer to Appendix B) provides a representative view of the majority of the reservoir site. 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 5 to 10 feet, and bottom substrate was composed primarily of sand, gravel, and small cobbles. Incidental observations indicated the presence of small minnow species. Low flow observed at the time of the field survey limits the ' suitability of this portion of the stream as trout habitat. The South Fork 2 site is near the lower elevation limit for boreal toad. A small segment of a tributary ' drainage near the proposed dam site was judged to provide potentially suitable shallow, still water breeding habitat for boreal toad (see Photo SFFR##2-1 in Appendix B), but a search of this area did not locate any boreal toad egg strings or tadpoles. The South Fork Fortification Creek Reservoir 2 site is above the upper elevation distribution limit for the Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. ' 4.1.4 Potential Larger Reservoir Sites (Track 2 Sites) ' 4.1.4.1 Rampart Reservoir Site (Site 37) General ' The potential Rampart dam site is located in a large, broad valley in the Fortification Creek drainage adjacent to, and directly east of the Fortification Rocks. It is accessed via Colorado Highway 13, north of Craig, as indicated in Figure 6, Field R«cn naissance Sites in the Louer Yea Ririe- Study Area. ' The dam would be located at an elevation of approximately 6,600 feet, as shown in Figure 14, Ragwt Resencir Site. Fortification Rocks are a historic landmark and were used as fortresses by Native Americans. The potential reservoir site is located on private and BLM land. This reservoir could serve downstream agricultural users on Fortification Creek. In addition, it could potentially serve as a water supply to downstream endangered fish species (see PBO discussion in ' Section 2.1.3) and as a warm water fishery. Potential development of this site was discussed at several PBO meetings. Montgun" Watson * P.O Box 774018 * Smonb at Springs, Colorado 80477 * (970) 879-6260 ' Wl"1055ir-2R,r 08/JO/OOpf