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<br />Aquatic Fauna: <br />Benthic macroinvertebrates. Mayflies and midges are the <br />two most common benthic macroinvertebrates found in the lease <br />area (insects which lack a spinal column and spend at least <br />a portion of nymphal stages of their life cycle in association <br />with the stream bottom). Other aquatic invertebrates found in <br />the area include stoneflies, caddisflies, and black flies. <br />Fish. Trout Creek is classified by the Colorado Division <br />of Wildlife as a cold water fishery populated with trout. <br />According to the state (Colorado DOW 1972), the game fish popu- <br />lation of Trout Creek is 80% brook trout; lOX cutthroat trout; <br />and lOZ rainbow trout. With state stocking and some.natural <br />reproduction, the overall fish population is stable. <br />The water quality of Trout.Creek within the lease area <br />is good for trout, with temperatures between 60°F - 65°F during <br />summer and early fall. The pool-riffle (critical spawning <br />and feeding habitat for trout) ratio in Sunland Mining Corporation <br />lease area in Trout Creek is 40-60 (40X pools and 60z riffle <br />area) while a 30-70 ratio is described as ideal by the Colorado <br />DOW (1972). <br />Food supply available to the trout population in the lease <br />area (primarily aquatic invertebrates) is good in quality and <br />quantity, and general condition of the fish is good. <br /> <br />~ ZZ <br />