7796

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7796
• Author: Burdick, B. D.
• Title: Conceptual Management Plan for Habitat Enhancement in Flooded Bottomlands, Escalante State Wildlife Area, Gunnison River Downstream of Delta, Colorado.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

1. Located in the historic floodplain, immediately adjacent to
the river, and in close proximity to historic habitat for both
razorback sucker and Colorado squawfish,

2. Contains natural riverine features,
3. Occurs within the area adult razorback sucker were stocked in
the spring of 1994 (Burdick 1992),
4. Area is owned and managed by the CDOW, and
5. Occurs within the immediate area recommended for the
chemoreception and imprinting demonstration project to be
conducted by Dr. Al Scholz from Eastern Washington University.
Land Management
There are several tracts or units that comprise the Escalante SWA. The
Hamilton Tract extends to the eastern boundary of the SWA along the river
downstream to Roubideau Creek. The two sites proposed for habitat restoration
in this plan are located within this Tract. Initial acquisition of land for the
Escalante SWA was made in 1955 through funds from the Federal Aid in Fish and
Wildlife Restoration Act. The Hamilton Tract was acquired in the early 1970's.
A dike on the north side of the river extends from the eastern boundary westward
for about 0.6 mile. This dike was reinforced and lengthened in 1985 following
the 1983 and 1984 high-water years with funds from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). Species and management vary by elevation and
vegetation type. Some of the species listed in the original land acquisition and
project description to be managed include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus),
Gambel's quail (Lophortyx gambelii), chuckar partridge (Alectoris graeca), ring-
necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus nuttalli),
beaver (Castor canadensis), Merriam's turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and several
species of waterfowl (mostly mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos)). Public access
is maintained primarily for hunting of big-game (mostly mule deer), waterfowl
(mallard duck and Canada geese (Branta canadensis)), and upland birds.
Agricultural row crops and alfalfa have been grown in the past immediately
west of Site 1 as habitat for upland game. In this same area, a mixture of
native and non-native trees was recently planted to establish shelter belts and
habitat for ring-necked pheasant and Gambel's quail.
Water Management
Stream Flows. Throughout the upper Colorado River basin dramatic physical
changes have been made to the riverine environment. Probably the most
significant change has been the alteration of natural flow regimes by water
development projects on the tributaries and mainstem rivers. Although many
' private irrigation projects already existed, development of water storage in the
upper Colorado River basin began in earnest during the 1930_'s with the
construction of several projects by the Bureau of Reclamation. Reservoir