WSP07965

• File Number: 8446
• Description: Cache La Poudre Project
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 7/1/1983
• Title: Cache La Poudre Project Study and Related Correspondence
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

basins. The total area of the basin is about 1,850 square miles with some
1,050 square miles in the upper basin and ~OO square miles in the lower basin.

C. 'DIE RIVER CORRIDOR

For ease of describing the Cache la p~udre River corridor, the stream has
been divided into seven segments as was 40ne in the Cache la poudre Wild and
Scenic River, Draft Environmental Impact 'Statement [1]..!! and shown in Figure
11-2. A brief description of each riverisegment follows in which the number
of acres shown represents the area in the .river corridor which covers 1/4 mile
on each side of the river. Total recreational use, in 12-hour recreation
visitor days, as estimated by the U.S. Forest Service within the seven
segments for the year 1980 is summarized bn Table 11-1. The use of developed
recreational facilities within the segment!s for the years 1967, 1977, and 1981
is shown, in recreation visitor days, on ITable 11-2. A 1980 estimat.e of the
distribution of the fishing visits by th~ same segments, was provided by the
Colorado Division of Wildlife [2] and is s~own on Table 11-3.

Segment 1, on the mainstem, is approximately 5 miles in length extending from
the eastern boundary of Roosevelt Natiol)al Forest to the west side of the
village of poudre Park. It contains approximately 1,600 acres. The community
of Poudre Park and some additional reside~tial development along with the FOrt
Collins water treatment plant are locate~ in this segment. State Highway 14
parallels the river throughout its length.1 Lands are approximately 80 percent
privately owned. This segment receives h~avy recreation use despite a lack of
developed facilities because of the proxi~ity of FOrt COllins. Fishing use is
heavy with the lower four miles of this: segment being managed as a quality
fishing area for artificial lures only. More than ~alf the boating use in the
total corridor occurs in this segment because of its suitability for rafting
[3]. The Grayrock Trail provides a popula:r hiking opportunity.

,
,
Segment 2, on the mainstem, is approximat~ly 10 miles in length starting from
the west side of POudre Park and extendipg, to the conflu.ence with the South
Fork. It contains approximately 3,200 aqres in which the noted features are
several campgrounds, the gorges of thel Little and Big Narrows, and the
Mishawaka settlement. State Highway 1 * continues to parallel the river
throughout this segment. APproximately j 0, percent of the land is privately
owned and it contains about half of the total corridor's campground and picnic
area development. Dutch George Flats i$ one of three potential areas for
I
future campground development. This seg~ent is actively fished and there is
limited hunting and boating use.

..!! Bracketed numbers throughout the repo~t indicate specific references
listed in the back of the report. .

II-2

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

I
I
I
I