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U.8.DEPAHTUeHfOFTHl:lNTEF1lOR OOAENJOFlA>lD""'-'IAGE/JWI IN REPLY REFER TO United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Colorado State Office 2850 Youngtielrl Street Lakewood. Colorado 80215.7093 www,co,blm,gov CO-932 7250 DEe . r: 2004 Mr, Dan Merriman Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203 Dear Mr. Merriman: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is writing this letter to formally communicate its in stream flow recommendation for Deer Park Creek, located in Water Division 7. Location and Land Status - Deer Park Creek is tributary to the Animas River approximately two miles south of Silverton. The stream reach covered by the surveys conducted on BLM lands runs from the headwaters to the confluence with the Animas River. Of the 3.65 mile reach, approximately 90% is located on federal lands while the remaining 10% is privately owned. Biological Summary - Fishery surveys indicate that the creek supports a self-sustaining cutthroat trout fishery in the upper portion of the creek in Deer Park. The lower portion of the creek near the Animas River supports a self-sustaining brook trout fishery. BLM has requested that the Colorado Division ofWild1ife re-introduce Colorado River Cutthroat Trout to the upper portion ofthe creek. The upper creek is suitable for reintroduction because it is difficult to access and because there are waterfalls that create barriers to fish passage from the Animas River. The stream environment is presently in excellent condition and provides suitable substrate, channel stability, cover, water quality, and food supplies for salmon ids. However, much of the stream is very steep and high velocity, so pools and other feeding/spawning locations are limited. Accordingly, it is important to protect stream flows that maintain the limitcd amount of physical habitat and that maintain water exchange in pools during low flow periods. R2Cross Analysis - BLM's data analysis, coordinated with the Division of Wildlife, indicates that the following flows are needed to protect the fishery and natural environment to a reasonable degree. 2.0 cubic feet per second is recommended for the high temperature period fmm May I to October 31. This recommendation was produced by averaging the results of two R2Cross surveys, and it is driven by the average depth criteria. Meeting the average depth criteria is important for pmvide sufficient suitable conditions for spawning and recruitment, and for passage between pools. 1.0 cubic feet per second is recommended for the cold temperature period from November 1 to April 30. This recommendation was produced by averaging the results ofthree R2Cross