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This area is semi-arid with annual precipitation of 38-51 cm (16-24 inches), of which <br />• at least 50°~ falls as snow. Trout Creek runs roughly south to north, arising in the <br />Little FIaT Tops area of the Routt National Forest and flowing into the Yampa River <br />west of Milner, Colorado. The upper portion of the basin is well vegetated with <br />aspens, conifers, willows, alders and native grasses bordering the stream. The middle <br />portion is a mixture of forested, farmed and surface mined lands. This ores contains <br />hay meadows, irrigation ditches and moderate grazing activity. The lower portion is <br />more grid with sage, woody shrubs and grasses on The hillsides and less woody <br />vegetation growing near the stream. Agricultural practices such as irrigation, hay <br />farming and cattle and sheep grazing are more intense in the lower portion. Oak <br />Creek also arises in the Little Flat Tops area of the Routt National Forest, and runs <br />northeast into the Yampa River approximately 8 km (5 miles) south of Steamboat <br />Springs, Colorado. Agricultural practices such as irrigation, hay farming and sheep <br />and cattle grazing variously effect most of the stream. The city of Oak Creek is <br />located on the stream approximately 4 km (2.4 miles) upstream of the loadout <br />facility for the Edna Coal Mine. Colorado State Highway 131 and the Denver 8~ Rio <br />Grande Railroad are located along Oak Creek through the study area. <br />Four sampling stations were established on Trout Creek during the summer of <br />• 1979 (Exhibit 2.7-10). Station I (NWI/4 SEI/4 Section 14, T4N, R86W) is located <br />upstream of the Edna mining activity or drainage from the mine spoils. Station 2 <br />(NWI/4 SEI/4 Section 12, T4N, R86W) is located approximately 2.4 km (1.5 miles) <br />downstream of Station I below input of drainage from the majority of the mine <br />spoils. Station 3 (NEI/q SEI/4 Section 36, TSN, R86W) is located I.8 km (I.I miles) <br />downstream of Station 2, immediately downstream of The northern edge of the mine <br />spoils. Station 4 (SWI/4 NWI/4 Section 19, TSN, R86W) is located 4.5 km (2.8 miles) <br />downstream of Station 3. <br />Two sampling stations were established on Oak Creek during the summer of <br />1979 (Exhibit 2.7-10). Station I (NEI/y SEI/4 Section 19, T4N, R85W) is located <br />upstream of the loadout facility for the Edna Coal Mine. Station 2 is located 3.9 <br />km (2.5 miles) downstream of Station I and approximately 3 km (1.8 miles) below the <br />loadout facility. <br />Through the study area, Trout Creek is a moderate sized stream with an <br />average gradient of 1.29'0. It flows through small pastures while meandering through <br />the valley and is characterized by brood riffles and deep pools. The stream has good <br />stands of willows provided shaded pools, overhanging cover and stable undercut banks, <br />• all of which provide good fish habitat. These general habitat parameters were <br />2.7-39 <br />