Laserfiche WebLink
<br />o lV_ 094 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />more favorable recreational opportunities at the enlarged reservoir. Improved recreational <br />opportunities at enlarged reservoir would result from better boating access around the reservoir <br />perimeter and greater water surface area. In addition, sport fishing opportunities would <br />improve with implementation of the Fishery Management Plan discussed in a later section of <br />this report. <br /> <br />Hydro-Electric Power <br /> <br />In consideration of the flow-head relationship for the enlarged Elkhead Dam and <br />Reservoir, it would be feasible to construct a hydroelectric generation facility as large as 2 <br />MW at this project. At the 20% flow exceedance level a maximum flow,for such a facility <br />would be approximately 380 cfs. Although the project could be built large enough to generate <br />2 MW, initially the project would include only a single 1 MW turbine/generator set until flow <br />conditions justified expansion. A 2 MW power plant could annually generate approximately 8 <br />million KW.of energy and an annual gross revenue of approximately $350,000 in January, <br />1993 donars. <br /> <br />THREATENED. ENDANGERED AND CANDIDATE SPECIES <br /> <br />Terrestrial Species <br /> <br />Bald Eagle (Haliacetus luecocephalus) <br /> <br />The Bald eagle was listed as endangered in 1978 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. <br />Bald eagles are commonly seen in the winter along the Yampa River in the areas upstream and <br />downstream from Craig. The large cottonwood trees and patches of open water along the river <br />provide excellent winter habitat for bald eagles. The presence of Bald eagles along the Yampa <br />in winter suggest that it is likely that Bald eagles would occasionany be found in the areas <br />around Elkhead Reservoir. Use of the area would be more likely in late fall and early winter <br />before the reservoir surface freezes. During mid-winter, it is not likely that Bald eagles would <br />be present in the area. Also, there are few large cottonwood trees around the reservoir thereby <br />limiting the number of roosting or resting sites. There are no known nest sites in the vicinity <br />of Elkhead Reservoir; however, at least three confirmed nest sites occur along the Yampa <br />River (Andrews and Righter 1992). Use of the Elkhead Reservoir area is probably limited to <br />occasional individuals that would be moving through the region. <br /> <br />Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinusl <br /> <br />The Peregrine falcon waslisted as endangered in 1970 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service. In IColorado, Peregrine falcons are considered to be rare migrants (Andrews and <br />Righter 1992), however there are approximately 60 nest sites in the State. It is possible that <br />Peregrine falcons could occasionally be seen in the vicinity of Elkhead Reservoir, but these <br />would likely be individuals that are passing through in migration (April and May in the Spring <br />and September through December in the Fall). There are no known nest sites in the vicinity of <br />Elkhead Reservoir. Peregrine falcon nests are usuany located on high cliffs. This is especially <br />true for sites that are close to human habitation and use. In the vicinity of the existing <br />reservoir and in the areas that would be impacted by increasing the size of the reservoir, there <br />are no cliffs that would satisfy nesting criteria. There are some low sandstone cliffs just <br />upstream from the existing highwater limits, however these would appear to be unsuitable as <br />nest sites. The most likely use of the Elkhead Reservoir region by Peregrine Falcons would be <br />by occasional migrants. <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />,-1i~_;;,:.t <br />