WSP04959

• File Number: 8460.500
• Description: Platte River Recovery Plan
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 8/3/1999
• Author: Colo Div of Wildlife
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment for the Tamarack Managed Groundwater Recharge Project at Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area and Pony Express State Wildlife Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

t

fish populations. Recent aquatic inventory studies conducted by the DOW identified
twenty-four different fish species inhabiting the lower sections of the South Platte River in
Colorado. Plains killifish were the most abundant species captured followed by sand shiner,
fathead minnow, and creek chub. Common species included, bigmouth shiner, brook
stickleback, and red shiner. Although the natural aquatic habitats associated with the
lower South Platte River cannot support viable populations of game fish, several
introduced species occur as. the result of human stocking efforts and impoundments. These
include, carp, bluegill, and largemouth bass. See Appendix C for a complete list of fish
species inhabiting the study area.

i
,
(",

Riparian plant communities like those found on the TRSW A and PESW A support some of
the most productive and diversified ecosystems in the western United States. In Colorado,
over one third of all vertebrate species that inhabit the state have been recorded in river
and stream riparian zones. Although the project area does not include the river bottom
habitat, most ofthe species found in the riparian ,areas would also range into the project
sites. Some common species associated with the u,pland sites of the proposed project
include, mule deer, white-tailed deer, wild turke~, cottontail rabbit, coyote, western box
turtle, lesser earless lizard, bullsnake, meadow lark, morning dove, bobwhite quail, ring-
necked pheasant, black-billed magpie, and American Kestrel. For a complete vertebrate
species list see Appendix C.

ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES

State Species of Snecial Concern

The following native fishes have been identified by the state of Colorado as either
threatened or endangered: the suckermouth minnolY, northern red bellied dace, common
shiner, lake chub, brassy minnow, and plains minnow. Ofthese species, historical records
indicate that the suckermouth minnow, brassy minnow, and plains minnow inhabited the
lower South Platte River in the vicinity of TRSWA and PESW A in much greater numbers
than at present. Reasons for the decrease are unlplOwn, but degraded water quality,
altered water flows, and pollution may be factorslin declining distribution and abundance
of these species. The proposed project is among t~e initial recovery strategies currently
being reviewed by the CDOW for those three spe~ies.

From their Biological and Conservation Data System, the Colorado Natural Heritage
Program identified four rare migrant bird species whose ranges include the TRSW A and
PESW A (Appendix H.) The eastern bluebird an4 black-billed cuckoo are considered
imperiled because of rarity, Bell's vireo is deeme4 extremely rare, and the upland
sandpiper is classified as vulnerable.

9

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I