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Description Grazi~ Associations Acres ,,= Colorado Wyoming Total Soapstone U,SOO 3,600 15,100 Belvoir S,6<lO 3,520 9,120 Duck Creek 200 200 MeadOlo'Springs 15,000 ... 15,000 rorAL 32,100 7,320 39,420 WA.ThRSHW PROBUMS The major watershed problems are floO<h.'ater, sediment, and erosion damages that result from runoff primarily due to high intensity, short duration surmer thunderstOI'lnS. Problems of land treatment and water management exist to a Plinor extent. Problems of erosion occur in the steeper foothills and breaks areas along the state line. LAND TREAThtENT The forest and brush-covered lands are grazed and require continuing management to achieve maximum cover and protective effect on the water- shed. Hydrologic improvement potential rates are relatively low due to site restrictions. Land owners are encouraged to protect these areas under the continuing guidance of the Colorado State Forest Service and \'/yaning State Forestry DiVision in cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service. The Wellington Fire Protection District now participates with the State Forester in the Cooperative Fire Control Program for a large portion of the watershed area. Financial assistance has been provided the land owners by Great Plains Conservation Program, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Ser- vice, Farmers Horne Administration and other program funds. An inven- toI)' of practices applied to date sha.rs that over 50 perl;:ent of those planned have been applied. I i i The principal problem of floodwater runoff and sediment production on the upper rangeland and forest land is due in part to existing nnge conditions and kinds of grazing practices. These problems are aggra. vated by trespass frcr.t owners of trail bikes, four.wheel drive and other rough terrain vehicles "plowing up" the sod on the steeper slopes. Although range conditions have improved since the inception of the soil and water conservation program, ll1.Ich of the plant cover is still below the potential of the range sites. The lack of proper grazing practices and grazing systems which provide for periodic rests during the critical spring and early surrrner plant growth stages contributes to this prob- lem. Periods of extended drouth also create problems in managelllent. Under the present Cooperative Fire Control Program, the Wellington Fire Protection District receives assistance from the Colorado State Forest Service toward prevention, supression and control of wildfires. The District, however, needs extended equipment capability to control fires in the rough terrain of the watershed where access is difficult, Any fire loss directly impairs the hydrologic capability of the watershed to retard floodwater, sediment and erosion. Under the programs of the Fort Collins and West Greeley Soil Conserva- tion Districts in Colorado and the Frontier and Laramie Rivers Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Wyaning and with continuing assist- ance frem Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Soil ConservationService,U. S. Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Ser. vice, Wyaning State ForestI)' Division and other program funds, the ability of the landowners anuoperators to install needed land treat- ment measures should continue even with the present economic pressures. Wildlife and Recreation Resource Data The Colorado Division of Game, Fish and Parks manages the Wellington St:lte Wildlife Area (1,242 acres). This and the adjacent wet lands along Indian Creek provide food and l;:over for the production of water- fowl illld upland game. Walk-in hlDlting is permitted during licensed hunting seasons. The watershed provides some stream fishing in the upper reaches of flo)(ehler Creek. Irrigation canals and reservoirs also provide a limited amount of fishing. Wildlife in the watershed includes pronghorn ante- lope, mule deer, ring-necked pheasants, l1IOUrning doves. cottontails and waterfowl. These game animals are not abundant and the IlIIKlUlIt of hunting is lilllited, a condition that is not expo;:ctw to chang., signifi- cantly in the future. FLOJD\'I'ATER DA."iA.GE Wildlife resources are managed by the Colorado Division of Game, Fish and Parks. Extensive floodwater damage occurs throughout the flood plain to agri- culturalland,crops, irrigation systems, Federal,State and County roads, and residential and commercial properties. It is difficult to determine the amount of other related and associated damages occurring as a result of direct damages. An estimate of these indirect damages will be made. As a result of reduction of the direct project damages, secondaI)' benefits will occur. .9. -10-