WSPC01202

• File Number: 8210.761.09
• Description: Colorado River-Federal Agencies-US NPS-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/3000
• Title: General Management Plan 1-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Water-Based Prescriptions

Specific guidance for each area is described
using the following six categories: visitor
experience, access, natural resource
management, cultural resource management,
facilities, and maintenance. These three
prescriptions apply only to Curecanti NRA.

Semi-Primitive Free-Flowing Flatwater

Management accommodates visitors wishing
to experience the park's recreational, natural,
and cultural resources along the free-flowing
portions of the Gunnison and Lake Fork of
the Gunnison Rivers. Interparty and NPS
contacts are less frequent than in developed,
motorized rural, or flatwater areas of the
park. The area is primarily natural, however,
there is evidence of development and the
sites and sounds of people. The types of
visitor activities accommodated include
motorized and nonmotorized boating and
fishing from boat or wading. Visitor
challenge would range from low to high
depending on the season and area of use.
During periods of peak runoff, the
recreational challenge could be high for short
periods. Natural conditions would be
maintained as much as possible, but some
human alterations could be visible from the
water. Support facilities would be limited
and would be focused on boat put-in or take-
out points only.

Visitor Experience. There would be a sense
of remoteness, but not of isolation and
solitude from human activity. The area is
day use only and the only facilities provided
would be at put-in or take-out locations.
Opportunities to view wildlife would be
good, especially in those areas not adjacent
to development.

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Access. Access is easy. Places to launcb and
retrieve watercraft are not paved, but all are
accessible to two-wheel-drive vehicles.

Natural Resource Management. The natural
environment along the ri ver conidors is
maintained to the extent possible. Resource
IlSe wOllld be c-Brefll]1y monitored "nrlllse
could be temporarily zoned to avoid conflicts
with endangered species. Water quality
would be monitored to ensure no
degradation occurs from recreational use.

Facilities. Development would be adjacent
to tbe area and would be designed to
facilitate access and minimize impacts to the
resource.

Maintenance. Activities would be limited to
maintaining or improving existing facilities
and restoring areas adjacent to the area
disturbed by human activities or facilities.

Semi-Primitive Flatwater

Management accommodates visitors wishing
to experience the park's superlative
recreational resources and natural and
cultural resources by boat on the surfaces of
Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs.
Interparty and NPS contacts are less
frequent than those experienced in developed
or motorized rural areas, but more frequent
tban in semi-primitive nonmotorized areas.
Opportunities for solitude are less limited
than in developed or motorized rural areas of
tbe park and are enhanced during mid-week
or off-season periods when reservoir access
is still possible. Challenges range from low
to moderate depending on visitors' abilities.
Naturalness of the environment would be
emphasized, however, human alterations
would be evident.

Visitor Experience. This area brings visitors
into direct contact with many of tbe parks
superlative recreational resources and natural
and cultural resources. The natural character
of semi-primitive motorized flatwater areas is
maintained while providing for interpretation
and trail access for large numbers of visitors.

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