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Oi'j.r~f107 v l... ~,"" ,.' After the construction of Blue Mesa Reservoir the same general high flow months existed as before Blue Mesa, however, the magnitude of the flow is reduced and the flows are spread out more evenly throughout the year. Low flows averaged higher and were of a shorter duration. Approximately one half of the TaylOJ' River is open to public fishing and there are numerous Forest. Service campgrounds and picnic areas 'along the river. The river 'is paralleled by State Highway 306 which is paved for the entire 20 miles. Forest Service use figures for the Taylor Canyon in 1971: fishermen use - 2,075 visitor day ( a visitor day is one person staying 12 hours), fishermen visits - 8,300, and picnic and campground use in developed sites - 46,500 visitor days. The river has recently received considerable use by white water boaters. . The stream fishery on the Taylor River can be rated as good with substantial fishermen use. The stream is stocked annually by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. In 1973, 4,300 pounds of catchable rainbow trout were stocked. The Colorado Division of Wildlife conduc~ed a creel census program during July, August and September of 1973 at three heavy use locations on the Taylor River. Census area at each location covered approximat!=ly one kilometer of stream. This data can not be'expanded to use-figures ,for the entire river but is indicative of the heavy use areas. In these three areas for the three su~~er months an estimated 6,240 fisherman fished 4,792 hours and had a ca~ch rate of 0.53 fish per hour. This catch rate is about the sta~e average for streams. ~onresident fishermen as well as residents use the TaylOe ,River. In toe 1973 Colorado Division of Wildlife creel census s~udy residents from 28 states were contacted. Fish species cree led were alniost ent irely rainbow and brmm trout, approximately 70 and 3D percent respectively. Other fish present in the river included cutthroat teou~, brook trout, and suckers. An occassional mackinaw trout (lake trout) or northern pike is found in the river. These fish move into the river from Taylor Park Reservoir. A fair sp~wining run of kokanee salnon from Blue Hesa Reservoir also has become established in the Taylor River. The water chemistry and bottom fauna of the Taylor River are generally consistent with other trout streams or the area. The tempera~ure profiles, in general, show a low mean temperature as a result of cold water releases from the dam and the steep canyon topogrnphy. The canyon topography has the greatest influence on stream temperatures. C. Envlronmentnl Imnncts of Proposed Action With the proposed a~reement the primary envlronmentnl impact would be in the operatiannl pnttern of Taylor Park Reservoir and,subsequent