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<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />..; <br /> <br />This limits riparian habitat to the area immediately <br />adjacent to the stream. A few areas OCcur where the <br />channel gradients are less steep and these areas are <br />usually characterized by beaver activity. Sediment <br />production is very low for the streams in this study <br />area. Most of the fisheries habitat is limited due <br />to the steep gradients. <br /> <br />/ <br /> <br />The water quality exceeds the standards established <br />by the state. The streams in the area are classified <br />by the state as Class I recreation water, Class I <br />cold water aquatic life, municipal water supplies, <br />and agricultural water. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />t': <br />^ <br /> <br />,.; <br />." <br />~~ <br />~ <br /> <br />The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are one of the higher <br />water producing areas on the San Isabel National <br />Forest. The water yield varies from .48 acre-feet <br />per acre up to .87 acre-feet per acre. The average <br />yield for the eastern side is .7 acre-feet per acre. <br />On the western side, water yield varies from 1.6 <br />acre-feet per acre at high elevations to .1 <br />acre-feet per acre at low elevations, with an <br />average yield of .85 acre-feet per aCre. The north <br />end of the study area produces the highest amount of <br />water with the yield decreasing toward the south <br />end. <br /> <br />Water improvements in the WSA are irrigation <br />diversion ditches in the Benton Creek area and Music <br />Pass. Spring developments have been planned to <br />supply water for recreational livestock to help <br />reduce the impacts around the alpine lakes. The <br />main value of the water within the area is for its <br />high quality, free flowing nature for fisheries, <br />wildlife, and recreation purposes. Once the water <br />leaves the area, it is of high value for domestic <br />and agricultural Use. <br /> <br />The current water yield is estimated to be about <br />79,400 acre-feet per year. There is a potential to <br />increase this yield by 7,000 acre-feet or to about <br />81,400 acre-feet per year through vegetation <br />management in spruce/fir and lodgepole vegetation <br />types above 9,000 feet elevation. This potential is <br />primarily located on the eastern slope of the WSA. <br /> <br />54 <br /> <br />['(""660 <br />, , .J) . <br />~ l..J.., '- <br />