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Objectives The purpose of this study conducted by Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc., (MEC) is to evaluate impacts of the current and potential future operating conditions of Ruedi Reservoir on resident salmonid populations in the Fryingpan River and the lower Roaring Fork River by means of the following specific objectives: • Quantify the relation between flow level and available salmonid habitat using an Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) approach. • Determine if fluctuations in brown and rainbow trout populations are related to flows that occur during various life stages. • Determine the relationship between flow levels and other fish habitat elements, including macroinvertebrate populations, water quality parameters, and spawning habitat. Study area The study area for this project includes the Fryingpan River from Ruedi Reservoir downstream to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River, and the Roaring Fork River from immediately above its confluence with the Fryingpan River downstream to Carbondale, Colorado (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4). Within the study area, the Fryingpan River is a tailwater stream with flows controlled by releases from Ruedi Reservoir (Figure 5). In 1973, the Colorado Water Conservation Board appropriated a minimum instream flow of 1.1 m3/s (39 ft3/s) from 1 November through 30 April, and 3.1 m3/s (110 ft3/s) from 1 May through 31 October for the Fryingpan River (Colorado Water Conservation Board 2001). Several tributaries join the Fryingpan River in the study area, with some of the most important being Rocky Fork Creek, Downey Creek, Taylor Creek, and Seven Castles Creek. The 22.5 km section of the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir is a patchwork of public and private land. Draft Final Report, Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers February 12, 2003 Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc. Page 2