9457

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9457
• Author: Ptacek, J. A., D. E. Rees and W. J. Miller.
• Title: A Study of the Ecological Processes on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers Related to Operation of Ruedi Reservoir.
• USFW Year: 2003.
• USFW - Doc Type: Fort Collins.
• Copyright Material: NO

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manage
lands that offer recreational access to the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir. The
U.S. Geological Service (USGS) operates a real-time streamflow gage (USGS gage
09080400) approximately 0.25 km below the dam. The section from Ruedi Dam
downstream to the confluence has been designated as "Gold Medal Water" by the
CDOW and offers important recreational opportunities as well as economic value to the
region. The fishery is composed of brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) and occasionally brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and cutthroat
trout (Oncorhynchus sp.).
The Roaring Fork River is a primarily unregulated river with a hydrograph typical of
snowmelt controlled systems (Figure 5). Peak flows occur in early summer, mid-flows in
late summer, and base flows throughout the late fall, winter and early spring. The
Fryingpan River enters the Roaring Fork River in the town of Basalt. The Roaring Fork
River continues approximately 45 km downstream, adding another major tributary
(Crystal River) near Carbondale, before it empties into the Colorado River near
Glenwood Springs. The USGS operates two real-time streamflow gages (USGS
09081000 and USGS 09085000) in this section. From the confluence of the Crystal
River downstream, the Roaring Fork River is considered "Gold Medal Water" by the
CDOW. The Roaring Fork River supports a coldwater fishery consisting of brown trout,
rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni).
Draft Final Report, Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers February 12, 2003
Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc. Page 7