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<br />,j <br /> <br />. Final Report: <br />Table Rock Ranch Fishery Improvement Project description; results of <br />monitoring, and technical basis for stream flow sharing proposal on <br />Rock Creek <br />Table Rock Ranch, McCoy, Colorado <br />by: <br />Michael J. MltcheU, Jeremy LUcy, and Tim Follnsbee <br />Qneen of the River Consultants <br /> <br />Introduction: <br /> <br />This report describes the fishery improvement project that has been completed on the Table Rock <br />Ranch along Rock Creek near McCoy, Colorado, and outlines the technical basis for sharing the <br />streamf]ows that are available to the CWCB's instream flow appropriation (ISF) on Rock Creek. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Ranch bas reclaimed and expanded sigl1ifK.=t aquatic habitat areas within the historic flood <br />plain of Rock Creek. Based on the demonstrated improvements to both the pre-existing and the <br />reclaimed .shewh habitat, we believe that the available 1Iows in the Rock Creek watershed can be <br />distributed between the main channel of the Creek and the recently expanded fishery structures in <br />a IIIIUllIel' that will increase the net benefit to the fishery and aquatic environment in this <br />watershed. It is important to note that only the evaporative losses due to increased water surfiICe <br />area will result in depletions to the stream. No other consumptive use ofwater is proposed or <br />anticipated. <br /> <br />The flow sharing proposal is supported by "before and after" R2 Cross evaluations and habitat <br />restoration 8118Iysis that illustrate the changes to tbe channel and fish habitat quality. Quantitative <br />biological monitoring of fish and macroinvertebrates, which wete first taken in September of <br />2004, illustrate improvements that are realized to the biota in this stream section. <br /> <br />The areas proposed for ISF flow sharing include one established sma1l pond located upstream of <br />the Egeria Creek confluence (Cameron Pond), a series ofrec1aimed floodplain oxbow ponds and <br />channel areas along Rock Creek downstleam of the Egeria Creek confluence, and three ponds (2 <br />existing and 1 proposed) downstream of the return flow from the newIy reclaimed oxbows. Total <br />ranch ownership of the stream includes approximately 12,000 Iinear feet in two sections. The <br />distance of stream cbannelthat would be affected includes 800' of the 2000' above the Egeria <br />Creek confluence, 2400' just downstream ofEgeria Creek, and another 2300' section downstream <br />oftbe oxbows within the lower 10,000' ofdeeded stream ownership. Each area where Rock <br />Creek flows are proposed for sharing would return waters to the stream prior to diversion into the <br />next section ofhabitat improvement. The total affected length of stream comprises 6.9"10 oftbe <br />decreed CWCB ..tle.rm segment on Rock Creek. <br /> <br />The value of this flow sharing proposal to tbe ISF program lies in the ability to support an <br />. erh.......ec:J and expanded aquatic commnnity. The proposed ftow regime will allow the ISF flows <br />