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I would provide opportunities for flat-water oriented sports, camping, and picnicking, and sight-seeing. The average surface area of the reservoirs during the recreation season is 1,200 acres for Ridgway and 430 acres for Dallas Divide. Project plans call for the maintenance of stream fishing to the fullest extent possible. This is a stretch of East Fork Dallas Creek below the diversion dam. High spring flows would be diverted with flows bypassed to this stream for maintenance of t:he fishery throughout the summer. The entire natural flow would be unimpaired during the winter months. The late summer flows of the Uncompahgre River from Ridgway Dam to the Montrose and Delta Canal would be improved and fishing scenes such as this of another river could be possible below Ridgway Dam. Fishing easements would be acquired along stretches of the Uncompahgre River below Ridgway Dam and along the upper portions of East and W~st Forks of Dallas Creek. Also, plans are made for a fishing lake in the Uncompahgre River drainage. It is believed that much of the sediment and heavy metal pollution from the upstream mine tailings would settle or precipi- tate in the reservoir. I The 100-acre fishing lake proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the Uncompahgre drainage as an enhancement measure would create new fishing opportunities for local residents and travelers. It is estimated that the following fishing opportunities would be dev~loped with the project: Stream fishing below Ridgway Dam - 6,000 man-days Special fishing lake - 5,000 man-days Dallas Divide Reservoir - 8,500 man-days A net loss of fifty man-days of stream fishing was predicted for the Dallas Creek system. The project will have an effect on wildlife, particularly on the mule deer. Ridgway Reservoir and much of the irrigation and residential develop~nt on Log Hill Mesa will reduce winter range. This slide depicts deer winter range in the vicinity of the project. These deer at Billy Creek might have to make room for some of their cousins from Log Hill Mesa. Land would be acquired and developed for wildlife habitat to mitigate project-caused losses to wildlife. crossings for game would be included in the construction of project canals. Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Colorado Division of Wildlife is currently conducting an inventory of aquatic life in the Dallas. Creek and Uncompahgre project areas. This will assist both proj- ects in the future protection and enhancement of fisheries. These men are conducting fish species identification studies on Dallas Creek. Here they are tagging a rainbow trout to check the extent of fish migra- tion. The local economy would receive a substantial stimulation during con- struction activities, which are scheduled over a five-year period. Employment is expected to reach a peak of about 150 contractors' employees -29-