_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (233)

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Crystal River Watershed Improvement Project Pre-proposal submitted by: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments 1. Overview 1.1 Water Resource Description 1.1. 1 The Crystal River downstream from Redstone, Colorado is the resource targeted for measurable water quality improvement by the proposed watershed improvement project. Coal Creek, a tributary to the Crystal River, is the primary source of sediment from eroding Mancos shales and the focus of this proposed nonpoint source grant application. 1.1. 2 The Crystal River is classified for the protection of the following beneficial uses: Class 1 cold water aquatic life, primary contact recreation, water supply, and agriculture. Coal Creek is classified: Class 1 cold water aquatic life, secondary contact recreation, water supply, and agriculture. 1.1. 3 Attached is a 7.5 minute map that shows the Coal Creek basin (map name = Placita Quadrangle) and a portion of the Redstone Quadrangle to show the confluence with the Crystal River. The map is marked with the watershed area, the active mining area, and the location of the proposed in-channel improvements. 1.1.4 Coal Basin is a 27 square mile watershed located in the White River National Forest. Coal Creek is the primary stream in the basin and is tributary to the Crystal River near Redstone. Approximately 14 miles downstream is the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers at the Town of Carbondale. Geologically, Coal Basin is a large, deeply eroded, elliptical anticlinal structure. Many sedimentary rock formations outcrop in this drainage. Coal Creek and its associated drainages are located in highly unstable Mancos Shale bedrock formations. Topographically, the basin is a steep and often restricted valley rising from Redstone (elevation about 7200 feet) to Huntsman Mountain (elevation 11,786 feet) . The watershed is surrounded by jagged rock ridges. Land ownership in Coal Basin is primarily public; ownership of the area of the proposed project is Mid-Continent Resources, Inc. Land use is mostly National Forest with a permitted underground coal mining operation and associated haul roads, spoil piles, and drainage systems occupying approximately 2% of the land area. 1. 1.5 Coal Creek, at the confluence with the Crystal River, is a 5th order stream (Sharp's procedure) . The Crystal River is loth order below the Coal Creek confluence and 21st order at the confluence with the Roaring Fork River. These Rivers are headwaters to the Colorado River. Estimated average annual discharge from Coal Creek is 24 ,000 acre-feet. 1.1. 6 The Crystal River Valley is an unique agricultural community. Colorado Highway 133 parallels the river providing scenic access for fishing and other water recreation as well as a link to some of Colorado's most interesting historical mining