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built in the early 1900s, which is recognized as a National Civil Engineering Landmark. . The quality of water in the Gunnison River has been identified as a natural treasure. The headwaters of this river flow into Blue Mesa Reservoir and from there travel continually westward. . Blue Mesa Reservoir is one of the largest high-altitude bodies of water in the United States. It provides an exciting diversity of water recreation treating windsurfers, sailboaters, and water-skiers. The three reservoirs provide one of the best cold-water fisheries in Colorado, attracting enthusiasts from throughout the nation and offering a diversity of game fish, . The rock formations and canyons of Curecanti, which include the upper reaches of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, tell a story of geologic change that occurred over the course of 2 billion years, Violent volcanic activity and erosion are today revealed in the inspiring pinnacles, cliffs, and mesas of the recreation area. . The scenic values of the canyon, the needles, the pinnacles, and the reservoirs provide dramatic contrast, which causes visitors to slow down, pause, and reflect on the diversity of the landscape and its spaciousness. Hiking provides the opportunity to explore and enjoy these pristine and remote lands. . Curecanti National Recreation Area provides habitat essential for the long-term viability of elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. This affords visitors the opportunity to view and enjoy these animals in their natural habitat. . Curecanti National Recreation Area provides feeding and roosting opportunities and protects existing and potential breeding habitat for endangered species, such as the bald eagle and peregrine falcon, Other species of concern dependent on Curecanti resources include golden eagle, great blue 6 heron, Gunnison sage grouse, and numerous other migratory birds, . Curecanti provides one of the best cold-water fishing opportunities in the nation. This is due primarily to the unique spawning Kokanee salmon run occurring in Blue Mesa. The Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs' trout fisheries routinely attract fishing enthusiasts from throughout the nation because of the high.quality trout fishing and uniqueness of the canyon environment. . Habitat within and adjacent to Curecanti National Recreation Area provides the opportunity to reintroduce and establish breeding populations of native Colorado River cutthroat trout. . Exposures of the Morrison Formation contain fossil evidence of the Mesozoic Era, during which dinosaurs and associated fauna occupied this region. Much more recent fossil evidence suggests that musk ox, cave lions, and cheetah roamed Blue Mesa during the Pleistocene ice ages. . The prehistoric and historic stories of human culture in the Curecanti area are recorded in the traces and tracks left by Native Americans, miners, railroaders, and ranchers. These signs document not only the human struggles to survive but also how changing human value systems, economic, social, and technological changes, and the importance of water have shaped the use and character of the land and its people. Cultural history contains archeological examples of some of the oldest villages found in North America, predating the building of the pyramids, The narrow-gauge railroad exhibited in Cimarron graphically portrays the story oftechnology's effects of shaping people and using land; the agony and difficulties of building track in narrow canyons in winter where the sun seldom shined; of taking the hard way instead of the easy trail. The finest examples of the railroad are on exhibit at Cimarron.