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<br />000742 <br /> <br />Trout Fisheries <br /> <br />The proposed action has the potential to temporarily affect the Gunnison River Gold Metal Trout <br />Fishery from Crystal Dam downstream to the Gunnison's confluence with the North Fork of the <br />Gunnison. Concerns focus primarily around water quality issues as they affect trout spawning <br />and recruitment. Fall brown trout and spring rainbow trout spawning success could be greatly <br />reduced if suspended sediments travel downstream into trout spawning areas and smother nests <br />(redds), Reducing flows after spawning also has the potential to affect spawning success, <br /> <br />Fisheries resources in Morrow Point Reservoir could also be affected by the reduction in water <br />surface elevations and changes in water quality (i.e" DO, temperature). <br /> <br />Recreation Resources <br /> <br />The Gunnison River is a valuable recreation resource. Rafting. float fishing, walk-wade fishing, <br />hiking, and sightseeing are all common uses on portions of the Gunnison Ri ver in Curecanti <br />National Recreation Area, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and the Gunnison <br />Gorge National Conservation Area. If the river below Crystal Reservoir becomes cloudy <br />because of increased sediments, fishing, rafting, and the overall aesthetics of the Gunnison River <br />are negatively affected, <br /> <br />In addition, the National Park Service operates a tour boat on Morrow Point Reservoir and the <br />proposed action has the potential to interfere with the tour boat operations, <br /> <br />Land and Facilitv Resources <br /> <br />Three landslide areas have been identified along the shoreline of Morrow Point Reservoir, <br />Changes in reservoir water surface elevations could result in landslide movement followed by <br />increased sediment being discharged into Morrow Point Reservoir and threats to public safety as <br />a result of landslides, <br /> <br />Socioeconomic Resources <br /> <br />Reclamation generates electricity from the Aspinall Unit, which is marketed by the Western Area <br />Power Administration. Reduced flows or reduced peaking during the reservoir draw down have <br />the potential to affect power generation and consequently CRSP repayment schedules, <br /> <br />Recreational guide services have also developed in conjunction with the recreational <br />opportunities in the Gunnison River. Guided river rafting and fishing activities may also be <br />affected by the proposed action if increased sediments create turbid waters. <br /> <br />4 <br />