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<br />Fish and Wildlife <br /> <br />The fi sh and wil dl i fe resources of the Upper Pl atte River Basin have <br />been influenced considerably by development. Irrigation, farming <br />practices, municipal, and industri al uses of water have had both <br />benefici al and adverse effects. Mai ntenance of suitable habitat for <br />fish and wildlife is a major concern of both State and Federal wildlife <br />offi c i al s. Portions of the Pl atte River dra i nage serve as mi gratory <br />and over-wintering habitat for waterfowl numbering in the mi llions. <br />In addition, endangered species such as the bald eagle and peregrine <br />falcon migrate through the Platte drainage. Bald eagles also over- <br />winter in certain areas. A portion of the Pl atte River has been <br />declared critical habitat for the endangered whooping crane. This <br />portion of the Pl atte River serves as migratory stopover habitat for <br />cranes and has been designated as critical to their continued existence. <br /> <br />The recent trend towards intensive agricultural practices has resulted <br />in a decline in the quality and quantity of habitat for wildlife. <br /> <br />Fishing resources are also experiencing levels of degradation due to <br />habitat reductions. The PI atte River drainage contains cold-water <br />species in the upper reaches, predominantly trout, and warm-water <br />species in the mid-to-lower reaches. Most of the high qual ity warm- <br />water fishing is found in the reservoirs. Habitat degradation generally <br />occurs as a result of water withdrawals from the river or reservoir <br />fl uctuati on due to water del i veri es. The reservoi r network h as done <br />much to stabil i ze flows in the dra i nage and perpetuate a fi shery. The <br />Upper Platte drainage has historically fluctuated widely in the river <br />flows from a spring flood condition to almost dry in the lower reaches <br />during the summer months (USGS, 1981). Reservoirs regul ate these <br />flows, but subsequent use of the water for irrigation, municipal, and <br />industri al purposes has reduced the water qual ity and quantity in the <br />rivers. <br /> <br />The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has expressed a desire for a <br />mi nimum flow between Gl endo and Guernsey Reservoi rs. The quant ity of <br />water in the stream is now largely regulated by irrigation deliveries. <br />It may be that the system operation can be modified to permit sufficient <br />flows to sustain a viable fishery in this river reach. A study should <br />be conducted to evaluate the flow requirements which would accommodate a <br />quality fishery and meet reservoir operational needs. <br /> <br />VIEWS OF THE STATES <br /> <br />The three States within the study area have expressed a variety of <br />views regarding comprehensive water pl anning opportunities, needs, and <br />problems. Colorado has completed two of three phases of a "so-called" <br />traditional State water plan--a resource inventory and legal framework. <br />One of the State's near-term objectives is to prepare Phase III, The <br />Water Resources Management Plan. Comprehensive planning for management <br />of the State's ground-water and surface water resources is intended to <br />support the future economi c and popul at i on growth of the Front Range <br />area and to evolve means to equitably solve water-use conflicts through <br />policy guidance and legislation. <br /> <br />36 <br />