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<br />Appendix D: From Draft Ecological Evaluation for the Dead Horse Creek <br />Potential Research Natural Area, by C. Richard and M.J. Lyon, Colorado Natural <br /> <br />Heritage Program, November, 1996. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF VALVES <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Threatened and Endan2ered Soecies. The unique hydrology and DalTOW canyon provides an e"cellent habitat <br />fur several species requiring specific habitats. Two ~pec:ies of special concern were observed: Purpus's <br />sulli,-antia (Sul/i,'antia hapemannii var. purpusii) (G3T3S3) was found at shaded seeping limestone cliffs <br />adjacent to and under the large upper falls area and at Bridal Veil Falls above Hanging Lake; and Festuca <br />dasye/acia (0353) was found in Douglas fir forest 'If the c:myon slopes. <br /> <br />Exotic snecies: <br />The only ..,<otic plant species encountered were r arame"", qfficina/o and Paa pratensis. These were not <br />found to be abundant, mainly along the cattle lnIil descending to the canyon bottom. <br /> <br />Plant Associations: <br />The Dead Horse potential RNA includes =pIes 'If several plant associations in the spruce-fIr, Douglas fIr, <br />aspen. Thurber fescue. and Gambol oak cover types. "''hile major forest types ~ best represented in other <br />potential RNAs. the riparian assemblages are by flit the most unique for the area Pemmial stretches along the <br />lower East For!< conlllin ..'tempioIy stoncis of blue spruoeired-osier dogwood mentOne riporian forest, ond <br />unique forb assemblages such as oil shale columbine/leafy bract aster. and cow parsnip/monkshood. <br />Ephemerul stream reaches possess high quality ocC1.llTer.ces of aspelVblack twinbeITY (G3531. Toe slopes of <br />the canyon support ""'Pen/Rocky Mountain maple communities. ranked as G2S1S2. <br /> <br />Fauna: <br />The canyon is home to several large mammals including deer. elk.. and bear. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Threatened and Endon2ered Soecies: <br />Animal species of special concern listed by the Colcrado )JatUral Heritage Progrnm which occur in the:u-ea lite <br />northern goshawk C4ccipiter geT1n/is) (G5S3B.S4Nl. a potential federal candidate species and ranked as <br />sensitive by the Forest Service:~ black swift. Cc;...psel()ides niger) (G4S2B), another Forest Ser'\ice sensitive <br />species. and pale lump.nosed. bat (Plecoms rou.11sendii spp. pallescens) (G4T4S3), also a federai candidate <br />speC1es. The latter has been noted to occur in simil~ side tnbuUlrie... of Glenwood Canyon and are thought to <br />occur in Dead Horse Creek as well. <br /> <br />Goolol!": The unique geology ond hydrology of the '....tershed should be protected in order to assure .dequate <br />flow regImes that support its valuable riparian habitlllS. <br /> <br />1:!!!!!!:. The area being considered for R.'JA status and its associated watershed are entirely ,vithin the 'Wrute <br />River National Forest. The :nesas surrounding Dead Horse Creek ha\"e been impacted by roads. grazing.,. <br />logging, and 'vater development Nevertheless. they are important as a buffer to protect the ,-aIues of the <br />canyon itself. and should be managed accordingly. <br /> <br />Mana.ement Concerns: So far. there hns been little hum3l1. imp3Ct within the lower Dead Hotse wotershed., <br />despite the immense popularity of Hanging Lake. Development of trails into the upper watershed from the <br />Lake could have serious impacts on riparian vegetation and the delicate structure of the limestone pools and <br />should be avoided. <br /> <br />The most immediate concern is maintenance of in.stre3I!1 flows to protect unique riparian habitat and maintain <br />the integrity of Hang;ng Lake and Bridal Veil Falls. The Forest Service is currently applying for an lO-stream <br />flow claim to assure current water l~.els in the future. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />20 <br />