WSP01412

• File Number: 7630.225
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Elk River
• State: CO
• Date: 9/1/1977
• Author: James R Webb
• Title: Elk WSR Study-Background Information--Elk Wild and Scenic River-Wildlife Values
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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e. Course tTaVl:TSCS lllC;:1do\\'s OJ..' pal'ks - All t'hrce fCTks tTavcrse
meadows and parks and with the scattered mature tree cover
provide a fairly high aesthetic value.

f. ~lountain panorama forms backdrop to vie"s up and down the
3 river forks - The panorama vie"s on all three forks are
excellent with the exception of scattered sighting of past
timber sales.

g. Stream entrenched by high, steep banI," or canyon ,,'alls -
All three forks would rate average. The three water courses
are not overly abundant \iith high, steep ban];s or canyon walls.

h. Large boulders in water courses. All three Forks have an
abundance of large boulders to rate high.

i. Reduce rating for cabins, power >Ines or otper structures
visible from water course - Slightly reduced on the North
Fork because of cabins, etc. of ~forris Larson's in Diamond
Park.

j. Reduced Tating for channelization or encroachment by roads
All three forks were reduced because of encroachment of roads.

k. Reduced rating for many washed-out beaver ponds. Rating
would not be reduced for beaver pond washouts on any of the
water courses.

1. Reduce rating for visible pollution or siltation - All three
water COurses liould have some reduction for slight silta-
tion from roads, slight evidence of siltation from sheep
driveway, hOliever, this has recovered greatly. and visible
polution from roads and timber sale blocks.

9. Potential Significance - This category is included with a view
toward protecting aquatic habitats that are potentially good even
though they might be poor hahitat in their e)(istin~ condition. The
three forks of the Elk River, from desirable aquatic habitat stand-
point, rate fairly high as indicated from the significant value
index recorded in the Range and Wildlife Habitat assessment. There-
fore, an average rating would be assigned for potential significance
for these liaters.

The Elk River below the junction of the South Fork of the Elk River was
surveyed as a separate water course using the same rating cirteria. TIle
main Elk River rated a S in the Range and l'Iildlife Habitat assessment
completed in 1976.

This decrease in rating is due mainly to a 10lier rating for the sum on the
fo 1l00,ing items:

1. Quality of water - high