Los Pinos River Recomendations

• Description: documents related to River Protection Workgroup's ‎(RPW's)‎ Vallectio/Pine Workgroup
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 3/4/1989
• Title: Los Pinos River Recomendations
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Meeting

. 6. Snowslide Canyon Creek, from its confluence with the Los Pinos River
upstream to its headwaters on the Continental Divide
(About 3 miles) Wild
7. Sierra Vandera, from its confluence with the Los Pinos River upstream to
its headwaters near Flag Mountain
(About 4 miles) Wild
The administration's 1983 recommendation to the Congress introduced in Senate
Bill S.I080 was identical to the recommendations of the river study report.
RIVER ELIGIBILITY
The Los Pinos River above the Granite Peaks Ranch and its major tributaries of
Lake Creek, Flint Creek, Rincon La Osa, Rincon La Vaca, Snowslide Canyon, and
Sierra Vandera are eligible for addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System. •
Free Flowing The Los Pinos above the wilderness boundary, including its major
tributaries, meets the criteria for wild rivers as there are no man made
impoundments, diversion dams, rip rap or channeling except for the two
transbasin diversion ditches at the top of the drainage. Since these
diversions adversely affect the free flowing character of the upper 1.3 miles
of the Los Pinos mainstem and its North Fork tributary, these segments were
determined to be ineligible.
Length The Los Pinos and its major tributaries Lake Creek, Flint Creek, Rincon
La Osa, Rincon La Vaca, Snowslide, and Sierra Vandera approximate 54 miles.
This exceeds the general guideline of 25 miles and is considered more than
enough to provide a meaningful recreation experience.
Water Volume The Los Pinos and its tributaries have enough water in normal
years to permit full enjoyment of water related outdoor recreation activities.
Water related activities include fishing, wading, and camping in the riverside
environment. During the spring runoff, some hardy individuals float the lower
portion of the river. Floating activity is restricted to water craft that can
be carried into the wilderness by the users or by pack horse.
Man's Activity The outstandingly remarkable scenery of the Los Pinos River
system remains untouched because of early Primitive Area classification and
Wilderness status. Other than the trail network and trail bridge and the
Granite Peaks Guard Station, there are no structures or works of man that
disrupt the scenic qualities.
Waters of the Los Pinos River and its tributaries meet and exceed all Federal
and State water quality standards.
Outstandingly Remarkable Values The Act requires the river to possess at least
one "outstandingly remarkable" value. The Colorado Department of Natural
Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognize that the Los Pinos