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. . . because it has a natural environment that can be preserved to a reasonable degree with an instream flow water right. The CDOW is very interested in protecting stream flows because the ,. Howard's Fork of the San Miguel River supports a wide variety of aquatic macroinvetebrates-- - and it supports a healthy riparian community. Past samples of the Howard's Fork have shown that fish have populated the stream in small numbers (see Appendix B). The Howard's Fork of the San Miguel River is a tributary of the South Fork of the San Miguel River. This stream is approximately 6.0 miles long. The Howard's Fork originates east of Ophir at approximately 11,530 feet and terminates at the confluence with the Lake Fork of the San Miguel River at approximately 8,800 feet. The creek is located in San Miguel County. The total drainage area of the creek is approximately 15 square miles. The Howard's Fork ofthe San Miguel River generally flows in a westerly direction. Significant tributaries to the river include Waterfall Creek and Swamp Canyon Creek within this reach. The subject of this report is a 3.1 mile segment of the Howard's Fork beginning at its headwaters and extending to the confluence with the Waterfall Creek and a 1.5 mile segment beginning at Waterfall Creek and extending to an unnamed lake upstream of the confluence with the Lake Fork of the San Miguel River (See Figures 1 and 2). These segments are located near the Town of Ophir. To date, the staff has received only one recommendation for each segment listed above. These recommendations are discussed below. Instream Flow Recommendation(s) The CDOW has recommended 5.6 cfs, summer, and 1.5 cfs, winter, for the upper segment and 8.3 cfs, summer, and 3.0 cfs, winter, for the lower segment. Land Status Review Total Length Land Ownership Upper Terminus Lower Terminus (miles) % Private % Public Headwaters Waterfall Creek 3.1 0% 100% Waterfall Creek Lake Fork 2.9 10% 90% This upper segment is approximately 100% public land. 100% of the public land is managed by the USFS (See attached Figure 1). This lower segment is approximately 90% public land. 100% of the public land is managed by the USFS. Biological Data The CD OW has conducted field surveys of the fishery resources on this stream and have found a natural environment that can be preserved. As reported for this reach of stream in CDOW'S recommendation letter to the CWCB, no fish were collected; this is not to be interpreted in such a manner to say that the Howard's Fork is incapable of supporting fish. The Howard's Fork of the San Miguel River supports a wide variety of aquatic macroinvetebrates and it supports a healthy riparian community. Past sampl~s of the Howard's Fork have shown that fish have populated the stream in small numbers (see Fish Survey Appendix B). The geology of the Telluride area is unique in that the water of many the San Miguel's tributary streams have extremely low conductivity; in other words, the water quality of nearly all of the San Miguel's tributary streams is extremely pure - pure to the point that electro fishing is not possible with standard electrofishing equipment. The upper most reaches of the Howard's Fork has this high quality, low conductivity water. Fish may exist in these areas but they are not readily sampled with standard electro fishing gear. Mine drainage into the Howard's Fork of the San Miguel River and mill tailings piles adjacent to the river are currently being cleaned up as a result of several small scale reclamation efforts above the confluence with the Lake Fork of the San - 4 -