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3. Description of the reach of stream to be included in the right. In making such an evaluation, as required by statute, CWCB seeks recommenda- tions from DOW and DOPR. The staffs of all three agencies may work jointly on data collection, analysis, and determination of final parameters for an instream flow filing. Although not limited by law, CWCB has focused its appropriation efforts exclusively on aquatic life and riparian habitat protection. The term IInatural environmentll is not defined in the statute, and arguably the CWCB could appropriate waters for recreational, aesthetic, or other purposes, even if the target stream segment could not support aquatic life for reasons other than water quantity. In a practical sense, however, this combination of stream attributes would be found in few segments. A summary of instream flow and natural lake-level water rights filings prepared by the Colorado Di vi s i on of Wi 1 dl He shows that water ri ghts under the program have been appropri ated on 6633 mi 1 es of stream in 1074 separate stream segments and have been made for natural lake-level filings on 485 lakes as of December 15, 1986. A summary of the number of appropriations by water division is provided in Table 1. Administration of eWeB Water Rights The successful implementation of the Colorado instream flow program is dependent on the administration of the water rights that have been appro- priated for instream use during critical low-flow periods. Administration of water rights to protect established private rights rests with the Office of the State Engineer. In the fourteen year history of the program, CWCB has never placed a call to the State Engineer to administer the stream to satisfy its instream flow rights appropriations (M. Cassen, Asst. AG, State of Colo.; pers. comm., January 19, 1986). In the continuing efforts to protect the integrity of its appropriations, CWCB regularly files statements of opposition to those water rights applica- tions that may adversely affects its appropriations. The results of these statements of opposition have been, in some cases, stipulations by the appli- cant, which are apparently sufficient to protect the instream appropriations. One impediment to effective implementation and administration of the water rights held by CWCB is the ability to accurately measure the amount of water that passes through the stream segment in which the instream flow right is held. The only means to accomplish this is through stream gauging and/or visual monitoring of the segment. CWCB has no stream gauges of its own with which to moniter the segment. Infrequently, a stream guage operated by U.S. Geological Survey, State Engineer, or some other entity (public or private) may be present somewhere on the stream segment. Field personnel of DOW or DOPR may be called on to make visual inspections, or to read stream gauges. However, continuous reliable, 27 ~