WSP06980 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

OOOGOl Nine rivers are under study in the Mid-Continent Region which fit into a high mountain river category: Piedra, Conejos, Los Pinos, Cacha la Poudre, Elk, Encampment, and Big Thompson Rivers in Colorado and the Snake and Clarks Fork Rivers in Wyoming. The U,S. Forest Service is responsible for all these studies except for the Big Thomp- son River which is being studied by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Most of these, which originate in the snowfields abov~ timberline, could be more suitably described as small streams for much of their length. The Big Thompson River study includes the 14-mile portion of river within Rocky Mountain Na- tional Park, The upper 11 miles are in a remote area of the park with no developed access. The forested canyon through which the river flows is bordered on both sides by rocky ridges reaching to 13,000 feef. The river drops from over 11,000 feet at its source to near 7,000 feet when it leaves the park. The lower 4 miles are in Moraine Park. The iateral moraine bordering this park is said to be the most per- fectiy formed in the worid. The Elk River is in north-central Coiorado. between the town of Steamboat Springs and the Colo- rado-Wyoming State line. The main river above Clark and three tribu- taries designated for the study total over 35 miies in length. Study of this river by the Forest Service should be completed by the sum- mer of 1979. The upper reaches of the river are in the Mt. Zirkel Wilder- ness Area. It flows through spruce, fir, and pine-covered mountainous country interspersed with large parks which are grazed by livestock and wildlife. Elk, mule deer, and black bear inhabit the river area. Major activities associated with the river include fishing, hiking, and camping, with the surrounding drainage being used for hunting, grazing, timber harvest, and general recreation. The portion of the Encampment River is also in north-central Col- 28 orado near the Colorado-Wyoming State line, The two forks and the main stem to be studied total over 20 miles. The Forest Service ex- pects to complete the study by late 1977, This river also begins in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area. Fishing, hiking, and camping are the major activities: lands in the drainage are suitable for hunting, timber harvest, and general recreation. Nearby lands are covered with spruce, fir, and pine. Elk, mule deer, black bear, and numerous small animal speCies live near the river. The Conejos River is in south- central Colorado in the mountains west of the San Luis Valley. The 36 miles of river designated for study are both above and below the Pla- toro Reservoir which was excluded from the study. The river provides opportunities for trout fishing on all parts of the river and hiking and camping 'on the part of the river above Platoro Reservoir. Below the reservoir, a road parallels the river and sightseeing use is significant. The study, now being conducted by the Forest Service, should be com- pleted by late 1979. Over 48 miles of the Piedra River and its tributaries in southwestern Colorado are being studied by the Forest Service. The study will be completed after March 1, 1978. Major recreation activities include hiking, trout fishing, camping, and possibly kayaking. The nearby lands, covered with spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine, offer opportunities for recreation, timber harvest, and cattle grazing. Wildlife near the river includes elk, mule deer, and black bear. The Los Pinos River in south- western Colorado is located one drainage west of the Piedra River. Over 80 miles of the river and its tributaries above Vallacilo Reser- voir will be studied by the Forest Service 'beginning in early 1978. Most of the river is in the Wemin- uche Wilderness. Major activities in- clude hiking, camping, and trout fishing. Nearby lands are covered with spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine. Wildlife near the river include elk, The Cache La Poudre River lies par- tially within Roosevelt National Forest, Colo. mule deer, black bear, and numer- ous small species. The Cache la Poudre River flows through the mountains and foothills of northern Colorado just west of Fort Collins. Over 64 miies of the river inside the Roosevelt National Foresl and over 13 miles of the river inside Rocky Mountain Na- tional Park are designated for study. The Forest Service will begin the stUdy in 1977. Recreational use in- cludes fishing, hiking, camping, and kayaking. This river probably gets more kayak use than any other river in Colorado. The highway which parallels the Cache la Poudre for about 50 miles is heavily used by sightseers in the summer and fall. Vegetative cover in the. drainage varies from open, grass-covered slopes to dense coniferous forests. The lands are suitable for hunting, grazing, timber harvest. and general recreation The Clarks Fork River is in north- western Wyoming. Over 22 miles of the river in its main canyon will be studied by the Forest Service this year. Major activities inClude camp- ing, trout fishing, and possibly kayaking, although some stretches may be too rough to kayak. The river is in a canyon with walls ris- ing as high as 1,000 feet. Approximately 50 miles of the Snake River between the Grand Teton National Park boundary and Palisades Reservoir in western Wyoming are being studied by the Forest Service. This river, which flows through one of the most pic- turesque mountainous areas in the world, and the adjacent National Parks and Forests offer vacationers a broad spectrum of outdoor rec- reation opporluni\ies. In 'he area is the renowned Jackson Hole Valley, surrounded by highlands with the Teton Range on the west, Mount Leidy, Gros Ventre, and olher mountains on the east and south, and the Yellowstone Plateau bor- i I I.