Laserfiche WebLink
Cnapter 3-, Affected Environment and Consequences <br />')agement impacts on surface water <br />-..dcts to surface water due to past management activities include increased water yields over <br />baseline conditions as a result of vegetative manipulation, roads, livestock grazing, recreation, <br />water uses, and special uses. <br />The potential positive beneficial impacts from water yiefd increases resu{ting from management <br />activities on the Forest are generally realized off-Forest primarily in the local area. The increase <br />in water could be utilized primarily by municipalities (for domestic water supplies), irrigation <br />districts, and hydroelectric power facilities. Downstream reservoirs which are nearby might <br />capture this increased water to benefit recreation and fisheries. An inerease in streamflow <br />benefitting aquatic and terrestrial wildlife could also occur locally on the Forest. <br />Soil and water improvements are accomplished on an annual basis to correct problems caused <br />by previous land management. Corrective measures include, but are not limited to, closing, obliterating, and revegetating roads to reduce levels of connected disturbed areas within water- <br />sheds; redesigning drainage structures on existing roads to reduce soil loss and stream ?sedimentation; and alleviating chronic sediment sources such as old compacted, unvegetated <br />log landings and recreation areas. <br />, <br />Surface water uses <br />Surface water from the Forest is used both consumptively and nonconsumptively. Uses in both ?':4• <br />categories depend on high quality water. Nonconsumptive uses of water include recreation, wildlife, fisheries, and the aesthetic quality of '. <br />this resource. Value on the Forest is high for these uses. Much of the recreation use on the <br />Fr,rest revolves around water. Most campgrounds on the Forest are located near <br />?reservoirs and streams. In addition to camping and fishing, the Forest has Fsh Creek <br />which is a major scenic attraction near Steamboat Springs. <br />Consumptive uses include irrigation, drinking water, stock water developments, municipal water <br />supplies, power generation, and transbasin water diversions. Major water users in this category <br />-; <br />include local water conservation districts and municipalities who use storage water for <br />customers and domestic purposes, respectively. The city of Steamboat Springs currently uses <br />two reservoirs on the Forest, Long Lake and Fsh Creek, to store its municipal water supply. <br />The city is the holder of the special-use permits for the use and operation of the reservoirs. r£' <br />The ciry of Steamboat Springs, in partnership with the Mount Wemer Water and Sanitation <br />District, enlarged Fish Creek Reservoir by raising the height of the existing main dam 19 feet, <br />constructing and raising the saddle dam, and creating a new spillway channel. A final Environ- <br />mental Impact Statement for the project has been completed and a record of decision issued. <br />Construction was completed in 1996. <br />The Denver Water Board has an existing right-of-way in the Williams Fork area. The proposed <br />wlliams Fork Diversion Project is located in this area and could be considered for development <br />in the future. <br />Potential downstream water depletion project activities are mitigated through consultation and <br />consensus with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the Endangered Species <br />Act for species listed in both the Platte River and Colorado River Basins. <br />Surface water protection measures <br />Pijhlic water supplies are protected by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) which was ed in 1996. The SDWA does not require source areas to deliver water of potable quality ., ? <br />? 1io need for treatment. In fact, waters in pristine areas usually need treatment due fio <br />.. <br />; L 4 <br />, <br />.Y4 ? <br />? <br />I <br />3-40 Routt National Forest - ElS (WatedRiparian/Weflands)