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<br /> <br />Fish and Wildlife <br /> <br />n_ , <br />. pOl t. <br /> <br />The imparlance of <br />maintaining, and where <br />possible, improving fish and <br />wildlife habitat was a major <br />concern of those who <br />designed the project. <br /> <br />Western Slope <br /> <br />Dominant game fish found <br />in project area rivers, <br />streams, and reservoirs on <br />the western slope of the <br />Divide include rainbow, <br />brown, cutthroat, and brook <br />trout. Development of Ruedi <br />Dam and Reservoir has <br />increased the available <br />reservoir fish habitat in the <br /> <br />area. Operating criteria of <br />the dam on the Fryingpan <br />River has eXPct~ed-abQut six <br />acres of grave~a'" <br />immediately below the dam <br />which provide spawning <br />beds tor brown trout. The <br />gravel area and regulated <br />streamflow have improved <br />the fishery below Ruedi <br />Dam through increased <br />natural reproduction and <br />have increased recreation <br />opportunities in the <br />immediate area. A gain of <br />34,500 man-days of fishing <br />per year is estimated for the <br />reservoir. <br /> <br />The most common big game <br />species within the project <br />area are deer and elk, with <br />black bear occasionally <br />seen. Construction of the <br />water collection system <br />caused some temporary <br />changes in the migratory <br />habits of these animals. To <br />ensure migration wasn't <br />permanently interrupted, all <br />conduits in the collection <br />system were buried. <br /> <br /> <br />17 <br />