ISFAPP00648

• Case Number: 75W2720
• Stream Name: Crystal River
• Watershed: Crystal River
• Water Division: 5
• Water District: 38
• County: Garfield
• Instream Flow App - Doc Type: Final Decree/Stipulations

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18. The r.lethod used by the Division of wildlife to
determine flow and channel characteristics and orl which the

Divisionis recommendations were based is referreq to as the
modified sag tape or critical area method and represents the

.
state-of-the-art in making flow determinations necessary to
establish minimum stream flows to preserve the natural environ-

ment.

(Stipulation, Paragraph 8.)

19. The Water Conservation Board determined that the
-01
establishment of a stream flow sufficient to preserve existing

aquatic habitat would also protect the natural environmentcto

a reasonable degree.

(Stipulation, Paragraph 8.)

20. The Water Conservation Board staff conducted a

hydrologic analysis of the flows in the streams on which the
Division of Wildlife made recommendations concerning proposed

minimum flows. The Board's staff water resource specialist

concluded that the Division of wildlife recommendations were

reasonable. (Stipulation, Exhibit D.)

21. The Colorado Water Conservation Board was created

to aid in "the protection and development of the waters of the
state for the benefit of the present and future inhabitants.,
C.R.S. 1973, 37-60-102, and its membership is to be "we11 versed

in water matters", C.R.S. 1973, 37-60-104. The Court finds
that it is a body technically expert in water matters.
22. The Crystal River is an important resource fur-

nishing recreational fishing and contributing to the scenic
qualities of the Crystal Valley.' (Stipulation, Exhibit A,
page 1.)

23. The recommendations of the Division of Wildlife
represent adequate fishery flows. In making the recommendations
the Division specifically rejected the two extremes of optimum

flows or flow conditions that would degrade the environment.
(Stipulation, Exhibit A, page 9.) The Board, in making its

determination to accept the Division of Wildlife recommendations,
accepted the adequate flows as the minimum necessary to preserve
the natural environment to a reasonable degree.

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