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IN REPLY REFER TO: United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Colorado State Office 2850 Youngfield Street Lakewood, Colorado 80215-7093 .~..- www.co.blm.gov CO-932 7250 DEe 1 9 2002 Mr. Dan Merriman Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203 Dear Mr. Merriman: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is writing this letter to formally communicate its instream flow recommendation for Sheep Creek, located in Water Division 3. . Location and Land Status: Sheep Creek is tributary to Saguache Creek that is approximately 20 miles west of the community of Saguache. Two stream reaches were surveyed. The first reach begins at the confluence with Spanish Creek and extends 4 miles to the confluence with East Pass Creek. Approximately 40 percent of this reach runs through lands owned and managed by BLM, while the remaining 60 percent of the reach is in private ownership. The second reach begins at the confluence with East Pass Creek, and extends 2.2 miles downstream to the confluence with Saguache Creek. Approximately 25 percent of this reach runs through lands owned and managed by BLM, while the remaining 75 percent ofthe reach is in private ownership. Biological Summary: The existence of a natural environment was established in Case Number 82 CW 226, in which the Colorado Water Conservation Board appropriated an instream flow right for this creek. For reference, we have attached a 1978 fish survey from the Division of Wildlife, which profiles the brook trout population. Since that time, the fishery has improved in terms of diversity and in terms of quality for sportfishing activities. BLM's 2002 survey documented the presence of substantial populations of brown trout and longnose dace in the lower reach, and a predominantly brown trout population in the upper reach. Portions of the stream located on public lands indicate good bank stability, substrate, and food supplies, but the fishery is limited by lack of cover and erosion in some locations. -e R2Cross Analysis: BLM collected one data set in each reach. Both data sets confirmed that an enlargement of the current instream flow water right would be appropriate for the high temperature period from May 1 through September 30, and for the spawning period for the brown trout population that occurs in October and November. BLM recommends the following flows to protect the natural environment to a reasonable degree: