10/6/A-001 Supplemental Data

• Case Number: 10/6/A-001
• Stream Name: Wheeler Creek
• Water Division: 6
• Instream Flow App - Doc Type: Supplemental Data

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DRAFT INSTREAM FLOW RECOMMENDATION
Ms. Linda Bassi
Colorado Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Ms. Bassi:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is writing this letter to formally communicate its
recommendation for an instream water right on Wheeler Creek, located in Water Division 6.
Location and Land Status. Wheeler Creek is tributary to South Fork Big Creek near the
community of Pearl in North Park. This recommendation covers the stream reach from the
headwaters on Independence Mountain to the confluence with South Fork Big Creek.
Approximately 50% of the stream segment is located on lands managed by BLM, while the
remaining 50% is located on privately owned lands.
Biological Summary. Wheeler Creek is a moderate gradient stream with small to moderate
substrate. The upper part of the creek flows through gently sloping forested areas, and the lower
portions of the creek flow through meadow habitat. The riparian community is composed of
alder and multiple species of willow. The stream provides a good mixture of undercut banks,
run, and riffles for fish habitat. Fishery surveys indicate that the stream supports a self - sustaining
population of brook and brown trout. The fish survey yielded a variety of age classes, with
individual specimens up to 11 inches in length.
R2Cross Analysis. BLM collected the following R2Cross data from the creek:
Party
Date
Discharge
250 % -40%
Summer 3/3
Winter 2/3
BLM
08/28/2008
0.75
0.3 -1.9
0.47
0.45
BLM
08/28/2008
0.73
0.3 -1.8
1.18
0.34
BLM's data analysis of this data, coordinated with the Division of Wildlife, indicates that the
following flows are needed to protect the fishery and natural environment to a reasonable degree.
0.8 cfs is recommended for high temperature period, from May 1 through October
31. This recommendation is driven by the wetted perimeter criteria. BLM
believes that providing this flow will insure enough physical habitat availability in
the creek for reproduction.
0.4 cfs is recommended for the remainder of the year, from November 1 through
April 30. This recommendation is driven by the average depth criteria. This flow
rate should provide sufficient water circulation to prevent total icing in pools that
are critical for overwintering.