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6 r <br />Water Availability. BLM is not aware of any decreed surface diversions in the proposed icaull. <br />Since there are no gages on this stream reach, BLM recommends obtaining data from USGS gage <br />09118450 (Cochetopa Creek below Rock Creek) and then using a basin apportionment to obtain <br />an estimate of water availability. When this gage is used, adjustments must be made to account <br />for irrigation diversions located upstream. <br />Relationship to Management Plans. BLM's management plans call for maintaining and <br />improving the aquatic habitat in Pauline Creek, and for improving riparian habitat. The creek has <br />experienced some impacts from grazing, but riparian condition appears to be on an upward trend. <br />The large number of beaver ponds has contributed to the expansion of riparian habitat across the <br />floor of the narrow valley in which the creek is located. Since this reach is located upstream of <br />major diversions, it is an ideal location to manage for increased fishery production. <br />The BLM requests that the Board recognize that this recommendation is based only upon the <br />minimum flows necessary to support cold -water fishery values. BLM may wish to work with the <br />Board and /or through the Colorado water rights system to appropriate flows to optimally protect <br />fish values and to protect other water - dependent values specified in BLM resource management <br />plans. <br />Data sheets, R2Cross output, fishery survey information, and photographs of the cross section are <br />enclosed to support this recommendation. We thank both the Division of Wildlife and the Water <br />Conservation Board for their cooperation in this effort. <br />If you have any questions regarding our instream flow recommendation, please contact Roy <br />Smith at 303 - 239 -3940. <br />Sincerely, <br />Linda . Anaffia <br />Deputy State Director <br />Resources and Fire <br />4 Enclosures <br />cc: Art Hayes, Gunnison FO <br />Kenny McDaniel, Gunnison FO <br />