WSP08343

• File Number: 7630.225
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Elk River
• State: CO
• Date: 5/1/1977
• Title: Elk WSR Study-Background Information-Elk-Yampa Planning Unit-Inventoried Roadless Area Description
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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- - - - - - lliVENrOR-1ED- ROArn:.fi-S&-A-RE*- At't '---GREEN- R-fftGf:' -. - ~ ,~- - - ----;-. H ".

Roadless Area DO \<as inventoried at 7,31)1) acres and consists of that
portion of Green Ridge which is northeast of f1udr1y Creek and clrains into
Morrison Creek. More accurate measurements rrnd the inclusion of conti.g-
uous roadloss areas missed in the original inventory brings the acreage
to 8,700. This roadless area is now contiguous to ON " r1orrison.
Vegetation consists of lodgepole pine, sprUce-fir, and aspen with inter-
mingled parks and meadows,

Soils on the Unit range from light clays to sandy clay loams. The soil
appears unstable with a high potential for mass movenent.

The ~luddy Slide at the south corner is a large unique natural geOlogic
slide.

Elevations range from 8,000 feet to '), ZOO feet. Eigher elevations in
the area provide only a fair view of the generally commOn surrounding
area.

Recreation use is presently low but could increase significantly with
the development of the Stap,ecoach resort and ski area. This r1,evelopment
is located adjacent to the northeast corner of the area.

This area has a RARE quality index (QI-2) of 48, L;"lever, 1977 Forest
review indicates the index should be 61. Al thoug]: the area I s P,ARE
Quality index was raised, the area does not appear to satisfy criteria
for wilderness. A newer Wilderness Quality Determination rating shows
the area to have a rating of 2Q On scale of 0-100.

This area contains several man-made develoTments, erosion control
structures, fences, irrigation ditches, roads, reservoirs, etc.

GrazinR by domestic sheep ann cattle, along with summering elk and ('cer,
are the present major uscs.

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