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<br />'. <br /> <br /> <br />IN REPLY Rh}LR TO I <br /> <br />United States Department of the Interior <br /> <br />BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT <br />Colorado State Oftlce <br />2850 Youngfield Street <br />Lakewood, Colorado 80215-7093 <br /> <br /> <br />www.co.blm.gov <br /> <br />CO-93f <br />7200 <br /> <br />DEe 1 6 ZOO3 <br /> <br />Mr, Da\1 Merriman <br />Colora40 Water Conservation Board <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 <br />Denver1 Colorado 80203 <br /> <br />Dear r;. Merriman: <br /> <br />The BJeau of Land Management (BLM) is writing this letter to formally communicate its instream flow <br />recojendation for the Little Dolores River, located in Water Division 4, <br /> <br />LocatiJn and Land Status, The Little Dolores River watershed is located approximately 20 miles <br />SOUthWlt of Grand Junction. The stream reach that was surveyed begins at the confluence of Beiser Creek <br />and the ittle Dolores River and runs 2.5 miles downstream to the border between BLM lands and private <br />lands. pproximately 70 percent of the reach is owned and managed by BLM, while the remaining 30 <br />percent IS in private ownership. . <br /> <br />Biological Summary. Fishery surveys indicate that the stream environment is presently in stable condition, <br />and supports a self-sustaining brook trout fishery. Channel stability, bank stability, and water quality are <br />good fo~ sahnonids. However, limiting factors in this reach include a limited supply of spawning substrates <br />and PootS, along with occasional low flows and high stream temperatures. Accordingly, it is important to <br />provide tream flows that protect the limited amount of available habitat if the continued existence of the <br />fishery i to be assured. <br /> <br />RlCrosk Analysis. BLM's data analysis, coordinated with the Division of Wildlife, indicates that the <br />followin~ flows are required to protect the fishery and natural environment to a reasonable degree: <br /> <br />. h 040 cubic feet per second is recommended for the April I to October 3 I high temperature period. <br />lfiris recommendation is driven by the average depth criteria. Meeting the depth criteria is important <br />for insuring that stream temperatures do not become excessively high during late summer and early <br />fall. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />l.OO cubic feet per second is recommended for the November I to March 31 low temperature period. <br />Given the paucity of pools in the lower reaches, maintaining depth during the winter to insure <br />requate physical habitat is especially important. <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />...J <br />