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<br />000798 <br /> <br />DRAFT <br /> <br />FINAL DRAFT - 12/19/91 <br /> <br />Field data and information were collected during September and October 1991 by the Forest <br />Service, the Division of Wildlife, and the Water Conservation Board. Data analysis and <br />preparation of this report was done during October through December 1991. Although <br />information was collected at many locations within the watershed, the short timeframe allowed <br />for this project precluded direct measurement of the full range of streamflows occurring in the <br />Piedra River and its tributaries. Other sources of information used during data analysis and <br />development of the recommended claim include USGS gage station records (piedra River at <br />Piedra, Piedra River at Bridge Ranger Station, Weminuche and Williams Creeks at Bridge <br />Ranger Station, and San Juan River at Pagosa Springs) and a 1989 basinwide survey of the <br />aquatic habitat of the Piedra River from above Highway 160 to First Fork done under contract <br />to the San Juan National Forest. <br /> <br />The following sections describe the watershed and river corridor setting of the Piedra River, <br />water related wilderness values and factors, the criteria derived from these factors which were <br />used to develop and quantify the instream flow needs for the Piedra River and its tributaries <br />within the proposed wilderness, and the instream flow claim recommended by the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife and the Forest Service. <br /> <br />The claim recommended in this report results from an assessment of the water related <br />resources and values of the Piedra River and its tributaries within the proposed Piedra <br />Wilderness. The instream flow requirements of these resources include both low and high <br />flow components. Based on current knowledge of physical and biological systems the <br />recommended claim, which mimics the existing pattern of streamflow, would maintain the <br />interaction of processes which have shaped the Piedra River and its ecosystems and would <br />adequately protect the water related wilderness resources and values. <br /> <br />This report has been prepared to comply with the spirit and intent of S. 1029 for the specific <br />purposes only of quantifying instream flows adequate to protect wilderness values in the <br />proposed Piedra Wilderness. <br /> <br />The report does not purport to reflect, nor should it be construed to reflect, the United States' <br />or the State of Colorado's position on any other maner, including but not limited to federal <br />land management or water rights, in any other action, adjudication or proceeding and therefore <br />shall have no precedential effect whatsoever. <br /> <br />Page 4 <br />