ISFAPPC02648

• Case Number: 03CW0273
• Stream Name: Thomas Creek
• Watershed: Crystal River
• Water Division: 5
• Water District: 38
• County: Pitkin
• Instream Flow App - Doc Type: Supplemental Data

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2.0 cubic feet per second is recommended for the November I to April 30 cold
temperature period. This recommendation is driven by the average depth criteria. It is
important to meet the criteria during the winter months, because the stream has a paucity
of pool habitat that fish can use as a refuge when the stream experiences icing conditions.

Relationship to Management Plans. This recommendation is important to BLM management
goals because significant progress has been made during the last decade in improving riparian and
stream conditions along Thomas Creek. As a result of this work, the fish population has
expanded. Continued improvement in the health of the fishery and stream relies upon protected
flows.

The BLM requests that the Board recognize that this recommendation is based only upon the
minimum flows necessary to support cold-water fishery values. BLM may wish to work the
Board and/or through the Colorado water rights system to appropriate flows to optimally protect
fish values and to protect other water-dependent values specified in BLM Resource Management
Plans.

Data sheets, R2Cross output, fishery survey information, and photographs of the cross section are
enclosed to support this recommendation. We thank both the Division of Wildlife and the Water
Conservation Board for their cooperation in this effort.

If you have any questions regarding our in stream flow recommendation, please contact Roy Smith
at 303-239-3940.

Sincerely,

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James E. May
Acting Deputy State Director

4-Enclosures
I-Data Sheets
2-R2Cross Output
3-Fishery Survey Information
4-Photographs

cc: Jamie Connell, Glenwood Springs Field Office
Mike McGuire, Glenwood Springs Field Office