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<br />-2- <br /> <br />linear feet of the Rock Creek stream channel throughout the length of Table Rock Ranch. Prior to . <br />the restoration, Rock Creek was comprised of a moderately to highly entrenched channel due to past <br />installation of stream side berms. Queen of the River Consultants, me. installed 240 rock habitat <br />improvements, reshaped the thalweg, installed bank stabilization materials, reconnected the creek <br />with its floodplain through abandoned oxbows and existing ponds, and revegetated affected areas. <br />Table Rock also restored the "Oxbow," an historic natural channel of Rock Creek, resulting in an <br />additional 1,900 linear feet (approximately 77,000 square feet) of habitat, a functioning floodplain <br />and wetlands, and additional water depth and winter holding capacity for fish. <br /> <br />The CDOW has evaluated the stream habitat improvement structures on Rock Creek and concluded <br />that the structures and the Oxbow significantly improve the physical condition of the stream channel <br />and increase the biological potential of Rock Creek. The CDOW believes the project has increased <br />aquatic habitat in Rock Creek and the Oxbow, providing additional fish refuge areas during times of <br />low flows, and that the stream habitat improvement structures also should provide increased channel <br />stability. The CD OW collected additional stream cross section data on Rock Creek in August 1985 <br />and September 2004. Based upon the biological and hydrological data collected to date, the stream <br />habitat improvements on Rock Creek, and discussions of future water availability scenarios with the <br />CWCB staff, the CDOW recommends approval of the proposed flow-sharing agreement. <br /> <br />Flow-sharinl!: Proposal <br /> <br />Under this proposal, three segments of the CWCB's instream flow water right on Rock Creek will be <br />affected. The first reach, referred to as the "Oxbow Reach," extends from the inlet of the Oxbow . <br />approximately 550 feet downstream of Rock Creek's confluence with Egeria Creek to the outlet <br />return to Rock Creek, and is approximately 2,200 feet in length. The second reach, referred to as the <br />"TRR Recreation Ponds Reach," is approximately 3350 feet in length and extends from the point of <br />diversion for the TRR Recreation Ditch to the lowest point of return of the diversions through the <br />TRR Upper Recreation Pond and TRR Lower Recreation Pond. The third reach, rilferred to as the <br />.. "Cameron Pond Reach," is approximately 700 feet in length and extends from the p.oint of diversion <br />of the Horn No.2 Ditch to the point of return to Rock Creek. CWCB and CDOW Staffhave worked <br />with Table Rock to develop a flow-sharing agreement, which is set forth as three tables in the <br />stipulation attached hereto as Exhibit A. For the Oxbow and TRR Recreation Pond reaches, the <br />tables identify how much of the total flow in Rock Creek (under five different flow scenarios) may <br />flow into the Oxbow and how much will remain in Rock Creek. For the Cameron Pond reach, the <br />table identifies how much of the total flow of Rock Creek (under five different flow scenarios) may <br />flow into Cameron Pond and how much will remain in Rock Creek. <br /> <br />Staff's Analvsis of the Proposal <br /> <br />Staff and the Attorney General's Office have negotiated a revised proposed stipulation with Table <br />Rock that is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Stipulation sets forth the flow-sharing agreement, <br />addresses stream gaging responsibilities, and provides for inspection and maintenance of the habitat <br />improvement structures. Based upon Staffs review of water availability on Rock Creek, it appears <br />that the times during which the parties will actually. need to share flows as provided in the agreement <br />will be minimal and will occur mostly in July and'August. Further, Table Rock's improvement to <br />the physical channel of Rock Creek, increase in aquatic habitat, and provision of a fish refuge area . <br />during low flows (the Oxbow) all appear to support the conclusion that the natural environment of <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />