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Water resources of the Basin have great recreational potential. <br />It is estimated that the tourist trade gross business value was nearly <br />$200,000,000 in the State of Colorado in 1949, of which a goodly portion <br />is credited to that section of Colorado within the South Platte Basin. <br />In their natural state, headwater streams support an excellent fishery. <br />&cessive sport fishing, together with pollution, has resulted in some <br />depletion of the fishery sources in the Basin. To counteract these <br />conditions, the Colorado Game and Fish Department has established fish <br />hatcheries to periodically restock streams with game fish. The most <br />popular fishing spots are to be found in the headwaters of the Cache la <br />Poudre and Thompson Rivers; the St. Vrain, Boulder, and Bear Creeks; and <br />in the South Platte River and its tributaries above Watertown. Clear <br />Creek, according to historical records, provided an excellent fish habi -. <br />tat prior to the extensive mining developments along its banks. Pollu- <br />tion resulting from ore processing operations is now being confined; <br />however, in the earlier days there was little control of the disposal <br />of mine tailings and processing wastes, and profound, prolonged changes <br />occurred in the character of the stream beds. <br />Water resources for recreational use have been enhanced by con- <br />struction of a number of reservoirs in or adjacent to the Rocky Mountain <br />National Park, particularly the Granby, Shadow IY1ountain, Mary's Lake, <br />Estes and Horsetooth impoundments. The recreational potential for fish- <br />ing, boating, and tourist use of some of the impoundments is great. <br />Production of hydroelectric power is an important use of water; <br />power plants are located on South Clear Creek, Clear Creek, Byer Creek, <br />Fall River, Riddle Boulder Creek, Boulder Greek, North St. Vrain Creek, <br />Big Thompson River and on a number of very small streams. Total in- <br />stalled hydroelectric capacity of the South Platte Basin is estimated <br />at 77,400 kw. <br />Waterways of the Basin also serve to supply the needs of wild- <br />life, including large and small game. A considerable number of ducks <br />and geese use the waterways as resting places during their migratory <br />flights, <br />21 <br />