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<br />Or~-~l <br />u.(. d. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />downstream on the Gunnison. No signs of reproduction were <br />noted; however, the significant fact is that the river habitat <br />has changed sufficiently to support a trout population. <br /> <br />The immediate stretch of river which the Crystal Reservoir will <br />inundate and the dam construction will occupy had been an at- <br />tractive habitat for rainbow and brown trout prior to construc- <br />tion of Morrow Point and Blue Mesa Dams. Productivity of this <br />particular stretch of stream is now considered with the impact <br />of the upstream reservoirs as less than adequate. <br /> <br />Two species of fish of particular interest which have been <br />noted in this stretch of stream are the round tailed chub and <br />the Colorado squawfish. These warmwater species are considered <br />unique in this particular habitat so far upstream on the Colo- <br />rado River drainage. The squawfish is classified as an <br />endangered species and any appreciable altering of its habi- <br />tat could reduce or eliminate the species from this stretch of <br />stream . <br /> <br />The only use of the reservoir area by big game is for crossing <br />the river on relatively minor migration routes. No endangered <br />or rare species are affected that inhabit the reservoir area. <br />The reservoir area receives very little fisherman use and <br />practically no hunter use due to the inaccessibility and lack <br />of travel routes into the bottom of the canyon. <br /> <br />F. <br /> <br />Recreation <br /> <br />At the present time there is mlnlmum recreation use in the <br />reservoir area. Because of inaccessibility and narrowness of <br />the canyon and fast, impassable rapids throughout the canyon, <br />there has been little white water rafting, although occassional <br />trips are made below Morrow Point Dam and through the Black <br />Canyon. <br /> <br />G. Special Esthetic Values, Historical or Archeological Sites <br /> <br />There are no known archeological or historical sites within the <br />reservoir area as listed in the National Register of Historic <br />Places. In accordance with the requirements of Public Law <br />86-523, the National Park Service has been requested to conduct <br />an archeological and historical survey of the reservoir. This <br />survey will be coordinated with the Colorado State Historical <br />Soc iety. <br /> <br />The area has quite a unique esthetic setting. The Black Canyon <br />of the Gunnison National Monument boundary is just downstream <br />from the field station area. <br /> <br />4 <br />