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<br />3 <br /> <br />The project would affect the fi$hery in about one-half mile of La <br />Poudre Pass Creek, the existing Long Draw Reservoir, and about <br />3 miles of Long Draw Creek. <br /> <br />La Poudre Pass Creek supports a small population of cutthroat trout <br />and brook trout and attracts a few fishermen. Long Draw Reservoi r <br />usually is drained each year; consequently, fishing is insignificant <br />in the reservoir, Likewise, the amount of flows in Long Draw Creek <br />downstream of the reservoir approximates the seepage from the dam <br />during certain periods of the year. A few cutthroat and brook <br />trout are present in some of the deepest pools in the stream channel. <br />Fishing in all project-affected waters Is insignificant at the <br />present time. This condition would not be expected to change over <br />the period of analysis without the project. <br /> <br />Under project conditions, the enlarged Long Draw Reservoir would <br />have a surface area of about 340 acres and have a capacity of 11,000 <br />acre-feet when full. The reservoir would start filling in May and <br />usually reach its high point about the middle of July. Water would <br />be drawn from the reservoi r as needed unti I the end of the irrigation <br />season in September or October. The outlet gates would then be closed <br />and remain closed through the winter months. The winter inflow to <br />the reservoir is expected to be minor; thus, the reservoir would re- <br />main near its low point through the winter months. Without a minimum <br />pool and with poor access fishing would continue to be insi9nificant. <br />Long Draw Creek downstream of the reservoir would remain much the <br />same as it is under the present operation. <br /> <br />Elk, mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion are the big-game <br />species in the project area. Upland game in the area include blue <br />grouse and snowshoe rabbits. Fur-animal species common in the <br />project area Include muskrat, beaver, mink, skunk, .fox, and coyotes; <br />Hunting and trapping In the project area are insignificant. This <br />condition is not.expected.to change over the period of analysis. <br /> <br />The project as proposed would not affect the game or fur-animal <br />resources of.the project area. <br /> <br />To realize the full potential .of Long Draw Reservoir as a fishing <br />and recreation .area, public access should be provided to the shore- <br />line, except where such use would endanger human life or interfere <br />with efficient project operation, A minimum pool, elevation 10,059 <br />feet, wi th a capaci ty of about 600 acre-feet and .a surface area of <br />about 84 acres, should be provided to preserve the fish life in the <br />reservoir during low-water periods, The Colorado Department of <br />Game, Fish and Parks wo~ld stock the reservoir with appropriate <br /> <br />j <br />