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<br />. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />000222 <br /> <br />reduction in habitat would pose a high risk of the fish populations being exterminated, <br /> <br />High flows are necessary on an additional ten streams because of the high sediment load <br />which enter these streams, high recreational use and value, or both, The streams which have high <br />recreational value are used heavily by the public for camping and fishing, and the Forest Service <br />has significant investment in the facilities on these streams, High flow is necessary to maintain <br />the physical and aesthetic character, and the general size and geometry ofthese streams to protect <br />the popular resource values, Because of the high public value and use, the Forest Service regards <br />these as critical recreation streams, <br /> <br />The streams which have sediment load problems are low-gradient, meandering alluvial <br />systems that adjust readily when sediment supply exceeds flow energy, The amount of water <br />needed to maintain the channel depends upon the amount and sizes of sediment entering the <br />channel in the long run, These streams have unusually high inflows of sediment. High flows are <br />therefore necessary on these streams in order to maintain their size, form, and erosion-sediment <br />processes in dynamic equilibrium, Reduction in flow on these streams are likely to cause <br />vegetation encroachment, reduction in conveyance capacity, braiding, and lateral erosion which <br />could cause extensive damage to stream banks, capital improvements (such as bridges and <br />roads), and aquatic habitat.. <br /> <br />The streams for which high flows are needed, and the basis for the need are as follows: <br /> <br />Halfmoon Creek, Heavy recreational use by the public, In addition, this <br />watershed is one of only 53 USGS benchmark watersheds <br />in the United States, and one of only two in Colorado, In <br />addition, virtually all flow in this stream is currently <br />diverted below the national forest by the Fry-Ark Project, <br />so little if any water is likely to be available for <br />appropriation or use. <br />North Fork Lake Creek, Heavy sediment load caused by Highway 24 <br />erosIOn. <br />Clear Creek. Heavy sediment loads caused by high natural erosion and <br />road erosion, <br />Middle Cottonwood Creek, Heavy recreational use by the public, <br />South Cottonwood Creek, Heavy recreational use by the public, and heavy <br />sediment load by high natural and road erosion, <br />Chalk Creek. Heavy recreational use by the public, and sediment load <br />from past mining activity and road erosion, For high flow <br />purposes, consideration is being given to moving the QP on <br />this stream to a point above St. Elmo, <br />North Fork Chalk Creek (Above St. Elmo), Heavy recreational use and sediment <br />load on the mainstem of Chalk Creek, This stream is a <br />new QP to address high flow issue on Chalk Creek while <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br />,1 Ai <br />