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<br />, .\ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />the fisheries in these urban corridor streams more holding areas or fish habitat must be created without <br />adding too much of an obstruction to cause flooding problems, <br /> <br />This reach of the Arkansas River has been significantly improved over the last several years as part ofthe <br />Great Outdoors Colorado Pueblo Arkansas River Corridor Legacy Project (GOCO Project), The original <br />stream channel was modified after the 1921 flood to minimize the chance of future flood damage. This <br />resulted in a very sterile environment, providing little potential for fish habitat or recreational opportunities. <br /> <br />The GOCO Project's goals were to change this corridor from a rarely used flood channel to a highly valued <br />recreational amenity to the community. The Project included approximately 7,5 million dollars for fish <br />habitat improvement work. The City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, U,S, Anny Corps of Engineers, Great <br />Outdoors Colorado and the now all provided funding and expertise for the GOCO Projed. To provide the <br />needed additional habitat for fish without diminishing the ability of the channel to convey high flows, <br />numerous channel modifications, including J. V and W -shaped weirs were added within the upper segment <br />of this reach. Strategically placed boulders were positioned between the weirs as well as within the kayaking <br />area. The combination of such structures and boulders has created a series of drop pools and eddies, <br />allowing for fish passage and holding areas during high flows. These same structures also provide important <br />pool habitat during periods oflow flow. As documented in the attached article "Extreme Makeover"', this <br />project has taken a broad flat river which provided little habitat or cover for fish at the extreme ends of the <br />flow regime and modified the channel to provide velocity shelters during the high flows and deeper pools <br />during low flows, <br /> <br />This river segment along with the associated river corridor now provides substantial recreational <br />opportunities including fishing, wildlife watching, boating, walking and biking. A bike path runs the length <br />of the segment connecting Lake Pueblo State Park, located at the upper end of the study reach, and DOW's <br />RunyanlFountain Lakes State Wildlife Area. located near the lower end of the study reach at the confluence <br />of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek. This river corridor is a significant asset to the City of Pueblo and <br />to the local economy of the region. All recreation activities at Pueblo Reservoir and along the Arkansas <br />River for several miles downstream of the dam are managed by the Division of Parks and Outdoor <br />Recreation (DPOR) under an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR), The DPOR estimates that <br />1.7 million people use the recreation aspects of Lake Pueblo State Park annually. <br /> <br />In addition to the recreational opportunities and economic benefits identified above, the non-profit Pueblo <br />Greenway and Nature Center (PGNC), located just downstream from the slate park, provides the local <br />community with educational programs relating to wildlife and their environment. This section of river <br />provides an excellent setting for these programs, <br /> <br />Bloloelcal Survey Data <br />This reach of the Arkansas River is classified as a large river (over 100 feet wide) and fishery surveys <br />indicate the stream environment of this reach of the Arkansas River supports black bullhead (lctalurus <br />melas), central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). common carp <br />(Cyprinus carpio). fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), flathead chub (Hybopsis gracilis), gizzard shad <br />(Dorosoma cepedianum), green sunfish (Lepomis CYa/lellus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), <br />longnose dace (Rhi/lichthys cataractae), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), orangespotted sunfish <br />(Lepolllis humilis), plains killifish (Fundulus zebrinus), red shiner (Cyprinella /utrensis), sand shiner <br />(Notropis stramineus), saugeye (Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), <br />white crappie (Pomoxis OI/nularis). white sucker (Catostomus commersolli), wiper (Morone saxatilis x M, <br />chrysops), rainbow troul (Sa/mo gairdneri) and brown trout (Salmo trutla). <br /> <br />I Colorado Outdoors September-October 2005 Issue written by Karl Licis <br />