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<br /> <br />stocked biweekly from May through August. Approximately 1.8 <br />million walleye are stocked per year. Brown trout populations <br />are maintained without stocking. The Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife (DOW) and Colorado Department of Parks and outdoor <br />Recreation (CDPOR) figures show a sharp increase in fishing. In <br />1981, there were 9,233 trips recorded. In 1986, the number of <br />trips increased to 64,255. In 1984, the fishing trips decreased <br />by 40 percent due to the large number of sediment producing <br />rainstorms. The above figures are daytime summer visits only and <br />do not include either winter fishing or night fishing pressures. <br /> <br />The total visitations counted at the lake for 1986 was <br />180,247. Of the total, 82 percent were from other states, with <br />Texas alone accounting for 33 percent, while 18 percent were from <br />Colorado. The data used in the above analysis did not include <br />the visitations made by those who hold annual passes. Most <br />Coloradan visitors have annual passes. If the visitations of <br />annual pass holders were included in the data, it is estimated <br />that the total annual visits would be 50-75 percent greater. DOW <br />estimates the value of a visitor day at $50 for the counted <br />visits. <br /> <br /> <br />The available municipal and industrial water (7,500 ac. ft.) <br />stored in Trinidad Lake also helps to encourage businesses to <br />develop in the Trinidad area. The city of Trinidad is presently <br />negotiating for additional water for municipal uses. <br /> <br />The Trinidad Lake Flood Control project reduced the flooding <br />hazard to the city of Trinidad, thereby encouraging economic <br />growth, reducing the threat of loss of life, increasing community <br />pride, and improving the quality of life. <br /> <br />It is anticipated that the need for all types of outdoor <br />recreational areas will continue to increase. Trinidad Lake is <br />the only major water-based recreation area within 100 miles. The <br />DOW is negotiating the purchase of additional water which could <br />double the recreational use. <br /> <br />There are 114 ranch operating units ranging from 35 to <br />10,000 acres within the watershed. Much of the upper watershed <br />area has been subdivided into 35 acre or more tracts of land. <br />Within this upper portion of the watershed, there are 412 <br />landowners. These tracts, with their panoramic view and close <br />proximity to summer water-based recreation and winter downhill <br />and cross-country skiing, have made the area a popular location <br />for summer and year-round recreational home site developments. <br /> <br />The area previously had an active mining industry, however <br />there are no active mines at this time. The area is considered <br />economically disadvantaged, as 25 percent of the rural residents <br />fall into the low income category, and the January-April 1991 <br />unemployment rate was 9.4 percent. Also, over 45 percent of the <br />landowners are of Hispanic origin. <br /> <br />12 <br />