WSP05168

• File Number: 7630.225
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Elk River
• State: CO
• Date: 2/1/1970
• Author: US Forest Service
• Title: Elk WSR Study-Background Information-Guidelines for Evaluating Wild Scenic and Recreational River Areas Proposed for Inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Operating Principles/Plan

SUMMARY 1/
Attributes and management ot:jectives of the three river classif1caUons for
inclusion In the National wild and Scenic River System

Wild

Attrlb.1tes

1. Free-nowing. Lowdams, diversion
works or other minor structures which
do not inundate the natural riverbank
may not bar consideration as wIld.
Future construction restricted.
2. Generally Inaccessible by road.
One or twoinconsplcuOtls roads to the
area may be permissible.

I
,....
'"
I

,
I
,
i
\" 3. Shorelines essentially primitive.
One or two inconspicuous dwellings
and land devoted to production of hay
may be permitted. Watershed natural-
like in appearance.
4. Water quality meets minimum crI-
teria for pl'lmary contact recreation
except where such criteria would be
exceeded by naturall::ackground condi-
tions and esthp.Ucs 21 anri capable of
supporting propagaflon of aquaUc life
normally adapted to habitat of tne
stream.

Mamgernent
objectives

1. Limited motorized land travel in
area.
2. Nounharmonious ornew habItations
or improvements permitted.
3. OnlYlrimitive-type public use
provide .

~
.
o

4. New structures and improvement
of old ones prohibited i1 not in keepIng
with. overall objectives.
15. Unobtrusive fences, gauging sta-
tions and other management facIlities
may be permitted if no significant ad-
verse effect on natural character of
area.
6. Limited range of agriculture and
other resource uses perm Itted.

~
~
.

o
o

Scenic

1. Free-nowln'~. Lowdams, diversion
works or other minor structures whlc
do not Inundate the natural rlvertnnk
may not bar consideration. Future
construe tion restricted.
2. Accessible by roads which may
occasIonally bridge the river area.
Short stretches of conspicuous or
longer stretches of inconspicuous and
well-screened roads or railroads
paralleling river~a m~be permllted.
3. Shoreline largely primitive. Small
communities limited to short reaches
of total area. Agricultural practices
which do not adversely affect river
area may be permltted.
4. Water quality should meet minImum
criteria for desired types of recrea-
tIon except where such criteria would
be exceeded by natural background
l::andi'Jans and e.sth.etl-:s 2/ and c.apable
of supporting propagation of aquatic
life normally adapted to habitat of the
stream, or is capable of and 1s being
restored to that quality.
1. Motorized vehicles allowed on land
area.
2. No unharrnoniou s improvements and
few habitations permitted.
3. Limlted modern screened public
use facilities permitted, L e. camp-
grounds, visitor centers, etc.
4. Some new facili;Jes allowed, such
as unobt:nlslve ma.rir!as.

5. Unobtrusive fences, gauging station:;
and other management facilities may
be permitted 11 no significant adverse
effect on natural character of area.

Pecreatlon

1. May have undergone some impound-
ment or diversion In the past. Water
should not have characteristics of an
impoundment for any si)l'n1f1cant dis-
tance. Future construction restricted.
2. Readily accessible, with likelihood
of parallellnq roads or railroads
along river banks and bridge crossings.

.

3. Shoreline may be extensively
developed..

,
4. Water quality should meet minimum
cri terla for c1eSlr':lcl types of recreation !
ex:cept where such criteria would be ex- I
ceeded by natural background condi- ~
lions and estheEcs 21 and o::apa.ble of I
supporting proJEgaITon of aquatic life "
normally adapted to habitat of the stream
or is capable of and is being restored
to that quali ty.

1. Optimum accessibility by motorized
lie-hide..
2. May be densely settled in places.

.

3. Public use areas may be In close
proximity to river.

4. New structures allowed for both hab-
itatlonand for intensive recreation use.

5. Management practice facilities
permitted.

6. WIde rs.nge of agriculture and othe 6. Full range of agriculture and other
resource uses may be permitted. resource uses may be permitted.

."

1/ To be used only in conjuncUon with the text.
0' Federal Water Pollution Control Adminlstratlon's Water Quality Crlteris., April I, 1968.

February 1970