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<br />. <br /> <br />statute directs the CWCB to request instream flow recommendations from other state and federal <br />agencies. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recommended this segment of North Fork <br />Mesa Creek to the CWCB for inclusion into the Instream Flow Program. North Fork Mesa <br />Creek is being considered for inclusion into the Instream Flow Program because it has a natural <br />environment that can be preserved to a reasonable degree with an instream flow water right. <br />The BLM is very interested in protecting streamflows because North Fork Mesa Creek is one of <br />the few lower elevation streams on the western slope of the Uncompaghre Plateau that supports a <br />cold water fishery. <br /> <br />North Fork Mesa Creek is a tributary of Mesa Creek, and Mesa Creek is tributary to the Dolores <br />River. This stream is approximately 15.0 miles long. North Fork Mesa Creek originates on the <br />western side of the crest of the Uncompahgre Plateau at approximately 8900 feet, and terminates <br />at the confluence with the South Fork of Mesa Creek at approximately 5500 feet. The reach is <br />located entirely on federal lands. The creek is located in Mesa and Montrose Counties. The <br />total drainage area of the creek is approximately 53 square miles. North Fork Mesa Creek <br />generally flows in a southwest direction. There are no significant tributaries to the creek within <br />the reach. <br /> <br />The subject of this report is a 5.5 mile segment of North Fork Mesa Creek beginning at the <br />confluence with Long Canyon and extending to headgate of the Cedar Tree Ditch. (see Figure 1). <br />This segment is located northwest of the Town of Naturita. To date, the staff has received only <br />one recommendation for this reach. This recommendation is discussed below. <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />Instream Flow Recommendation(s) <br /> <br />BLM's instream flow recommendation is 2.75 cfs (April 1 - October 31) and 1.90 cfs (November <br />1 - March 31). This recommendation has been adjusted, based on water availability concerns. <br />(See discussion below under Hydrologic Data.) <br /> <br />land Status Review <br /> <br /> Total Length Land Ownership <br />Upper Terminus Lower Terminus (miles) % Private I % Public <br />Long Canyon Cedar Tree Ditch 5.5 0% I 100% <br /> <br />100% of the reach is located on federa11ands managed by the BLM. <br /> <br />Biological Data <br /> <br />The BLM has conducted field surveys of the fishery resources on this stream and have found a <br />natural environment that can be preserved. As reported for this reach of stream in BLM's <br />recommendation letter to the CWCB, "Fishery surveys indicate that the stream environment <br />supports a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout, flannel-mouth sucker, and dace." BLM's <br />fisheries report indicates that the fishery is constrained by limited spawning areas, low flows, and <br />high erosion within the watershed. BLM seeks to protect the current flow regime to prevent <br />further stress to the fish population. (See BLM Fish Survey in Appendix B). <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Field Survey Data <br /> <br />BLM staff used the R2Cross methodology to quantify the amount of water required to preserve <br />the natural environment to a reasonable degree. The R2Cross method requires that stream <br />discharge and channel profile data be collected in a riffle stream habitat type. Riffles are most <br />