7886

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7886
• Author: Hydrosphere Resource Consultants.
• Title: Yampa River Basin Recommended Alternative, Detailed Feasibility Study
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: Final Report.
• Copyright Material: NO

Reservoir Site Characterization
Routt National Forest was established in 1905. A fledgling recreation and ski industry
began in the late 1920's but didn't fully develop until the early 1960's and never really had a
significant impact in the Craig area. Uranium, oil and coal all saw periods of exploration and
' development through the Second World War. Coal, in particular, received significant attention
later during the mid-1970's energy crisis when the Craig and Hayden coal-fired generating
stations were built in the area. The local coal resources and the generally remote location
' stimulated this development. The area remains today a reflection of this development history
with dryland farming, livestock ranching, coal mining/power generation, and recreation
' dominating the existing land use.
Existing land use in the Elkhead Creek basin consists of approximately 50% low density,
rural farming and ranching activity and 50% undeveloped public land. Agriculture and
ranching activity has significantly modified the native ground cover and in some areas
contributes substantially to sediment loads in Elkhead Creek.
The existing Elkhead Dam and Reservoir have done little to change general land use in
the vicinity since it was constructed in 1974. Besides the obvious replacement of native
riparian and upland vegetation with a reservoir, the adjacent land use remains largely the same
as it was 20 years ago. Recreational day use of the area has increased but permanent
recreation-based land development has not occurred.
' Future Land Use
The primary factor on future land use of the Craig area will be the level of mining and
energy based activity and secondary effects. Urbanization, population growth, modifications to
transportation systems, increases in outdoor recreation, and related land use changes will occur

' but will probably be minor.
Within the Elkhead Creek catchment itself, future land use is not expected to change
significantly from that of current conditions. The headwaters of the Elkhead Creek basin are
located in National Forest and over 50% of the total land in the catchment is in public
ownership. The lower elevation areas are characterized by privately owned parcels generally
not exceeding 200 acres in size of which approximately 50% are occupied by owners.
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A larger reservoir will encourage more general recreational use by area residents,
unlikely to change from day-use to a "destination location". Allowing private ownership of
reservoir perimeter lands might stimulate some recreation home development, but this impact is
unlikely to extend significantly landward from the reservoir edge due to the generally semi-arid
and treeless nature of the adjacent lands.
'
Property Ownership
' Land
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is the primary owner of the land occupied
by the reservoir. It is estimated that they own approximately 2,100 acres, all of it zoned for
outdoor recreation. A transfer of ownership of this land is being pursued by the CDOW with
the City of Craig.
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