Chapter 1

Purpose Of and Need for Action

CHAPTER 1 Purpose of and Need for Action

1.1 INTRODUCTION If any portions of the study rivers were found eligible and suitable, a recommendation for SELECTION designation would be forwarded to Congress, along with this document. Congress then The eligibility and suitability of 99.5 miles of the would determine if the recommended river(s) or North Fork of the South Platte River and river segment(s) should be added to the segments of the South Platte River mainstem in National System. Colorado are being studied to determine if they should be recommended for addition to the THE STUDY AREA National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (National System). All of the South Platte River The river segments identified for study total study corridor and most of the North Fork 99.5 miles and are located in Douglas, Jefferson, study corridor lie within the boundaries of the Park, and Teller Counties, in Colorado. The Pike National Forest (National Forest). Both study river corridors are mostly National Forest areas, however, include many private and local System lands administered by the Pike and government inholdings, and a 6.6-mile stretch San Isabel National Forests, Comanche and along the North Fork lies just outside the Cimarron National Grasslands, but also include National Forest boundary. This section is private inholdings and lands managed by mostly in private ownership but includes some Denver Water and Jefferson County. public lands managed by the Denver Board of Water Commissioners (Denver Water) and Jefferson County Open Space. TIMING Because the rivers were identified by the In 1984, the Land and Resource Management Plan USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) for study, for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, the eligible segments are recognized as study Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands rivers under the provisions found in (Forest Plan) found that a 26.8-mile segment of section 5(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers the South Platte River, from Elevenmile Dam Act of 1968 (Public Law [P.L.] 90-542 et seq.) to the high water line of Cheesman Reservoir, (WSRA) (Appendix F). This section of the was eligible for potential addition to the WSRA requires that all Federal agencies National System. At that time, the lower North consider potential national wild, scenic, and Fork of the South Platte, below Bailey, recreational river areas in all planning for the Colorado, and the South Platte mainstem from use and development of water and related land Cheesman Reservoir downstream to its resources. Forest Service Manual 1924 states, confluence with the North Fork were being “consideration of the potential wild and scenic evaluated for potential reservoir development rivers is an inherent part of the ongoing land by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Two and resource management planning process.” Forks Metropolitan Denver Water Supply Environmental Impact Statement (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1988).

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-1

The environmental impact statement (EIS) dealt The Forest Service completed an eligibility with the Two Forks Dam and reservoir study (Appendix C) of the 26.8-mile segment of proposal, a water supply project proposed by the South Platte River from Elevenmile Dam to the Denver Board of Water Commissioners and the backwaters of Cheesman Reservoir in 1984 the Metropolitan Water Providers to help meet as part of the Forest Plan. The plan found the the water supply needs of the Denver entire 26.8-mile segment eligible for potential metropolitan area. The EIS was finished in addition to the National System. In 1992, the March 1988 and recommended construction of Forest Service began an eligibility determination a dam on the South Platte River, approximately for the entire North Fork (50.1 miles) and for 1 mile downstream from its confluence with the the South Platte River from Cheesman Dam to North Fork. The proposed reservoir would the backwaters of Strontia Springs Reservoir have a surface area of about 7,300 acres and (22.6 miles). The preliminary eligibility determi- would provide a storage capacity of nation, released in August 1995 and completed 1,100,000 acre-feet. After several years of in June 1996, found that all 22.6 miles of the meetings and review, the U.S. Environmental South Platte study corridor and the part of the Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Recommen- North Fork downstream from the Berger dation Determination in 1990 to prohibit property near Insmont (22.9 miles) were eligible construction of the Two Forks Dam and for potential addition to the National System reservoir pursuant to section 404(c) of the Clean (Appendix D). It also found that the North Water Act (EPA, 1990). Eight suburban water Fork, upstream of Insmont, was not eligible for districts appealed EPA’s decision. On June 5, further consideration. These findings are sum- 1996, U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch marized in Chapter 3 and explained in detail in dismissed the appeal. The judge ruled that EPA Appendices C and D. The segments examined had not “acted capriciously and arbitrarily” in in the 1984 and 1996 eligibility studies are listed blocking construction of the dam because of its in table 1-1. Together, the two eligibility studies impact on the environment. The judge also found a total of 72.3 miles—22.9 miles of the ruled that the eight suburban water districts did North Fork and 49.4 miles of the South not have legal standing to proceed with the case Platte—eligible for potential addition to the without support of the Denver Water Board. National System. Other than the eligibility discussion in Chapter 3, the remainder of this The Forest Service has no position on the Two document deals with the suitability of these Forks Dam and Reservoir proposal or 72.3 miles of eligible streams for addition to the subsequent legal decisions. However, its National System. For the purposes of this interpretation of section 5(d)(1) of the WSRA is analysis, the Forest Service has established a that a Wild and Scenic Rivers assessment would study area extending one-quarter mile from the have to occur prior to any decision that would ordinary high water mark on each side of the allow construction of a containment structure. studied river segments. In other words, the Metropolitan Denver Water Supply EIS was not sufficient to meet the intent of the WSRA defined above. OVERVIEW OF THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT In 1989, Congress appropriated $75,000 for the Forest Service to study the recreation potential The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of the South Platte River from Elevenmile Dam (P.L. 90-542 et seq.) was passed in 1968 to to the high water line of Strontia Springs balance river development with river protection. Reservoir. The Forest Service felt that this could be best accomplished as a Wild and Scenic River study and included the entire North Fork. This document is the result.

1-2 ˜ Chapter 1

Table 1-1.—List of Study Segments Considered in the 1984 and 1996 Eligibility Studies Length Segment (miles) Description

A&B - South Platte 16.4 From Elevenmile Dam (downstream from fence on Denver River Water's special-use area) downstream to Beaver Creek (northernmost boundary of private land).

C1 - South Platte River 2.9 From Beaver Creek downstream to ¼ mile upstream of Hackett Gulch.

C2 - South Platte River 3.0 From ¼ mile upstream of Hackett Gulch downstream to ¼ mile downstream of Corral Creek.

C3 - South Platte River 4.5 From ¼ mile downstream of Corral Creek to high-water line of Cheesman Reservoir (upstream of the stream gage).

D - South Platte River 3.1 From Cheesman Dam (downstream of the stream gage weir) downstream to the Wigwam Club property (southern end).

E - South Platte River 19.5 From the Wigwam Club property (southern end) downstream to the high water line of Strontia Springs Reservoir (6029-foot contour).

F - North Fork of South 9.7 From its headwaters downstream to Kenosha Gulch, near Platte River Webster (also known as the Hall Valley).

G - North Fork of South 17.5 From Kenosha Gulch, near Webster, downstream to Platte River Insmont (upstream boundary of Berger property).

H1 - North Fork of 1.5 From Insmont (upstream boundary of Berger property) South Platte River downstream to Estabrook (downstream side of old stone house).

H2 - North Fork of 4.9 From Estabrook (downstream side of old stone house) South Platte River downstream to Cliffdale (the section line between sections 29 and 30 east of Cliffdale).

H3 - North Fork of 16.5 From Cliffdale (the section line between sections 29 and 30 South Platte River east of Cliffdale) downstream to within ¼ mile of the confluence with the South Platte River.

Total 99.5

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-3

Table 1-2.—List of Study Segments Found Eligible and Included in Suitability Study Length Segment (miles) Description

A&B - South Platte 16.4 From Elevenmile Dam (downstream from fence on Denver River Water's special-use area) downstream to Beaver Creek (northernmost boundary of private land).

C1 - South Platte River 2.9 From Beaver Creek downstream to ¼ mile upstream of Hackett Gulch.

C2 - South Platte River 3.0 From ¼ mile upstream of Hackett Gulch downstream to ¼ mile downstream of Corral Creek.

C3 - South Platte River 4.5 From ¼ mile downstream of Corral Creek to high-water line of Cheesman Reservoir (upstream of the stream gage).

D - South Platte River 3.1 From Cheesman Dam (downstream of the stream gage weir) downstream to the Wigwam Club property (southern end).

E - South Platte River 19.5 From the Wigwam Club property (southern end) downstream to the high water line of Strontia Springs Reservoir (6029-foot contour).

H1 - North Fork of 1.5 From Insmont (upstream boundary of Berger property) South Platte River downstream to Estabrook (downstream side of old stone house).

H2 - North Fork of 4.9 From Estabrook (downstream side of old stone house) South Platte River downstream to Cliffdale (the section line between sections 29 and 30 east of Cliffdale).

H3 - North Fork of 16.5 From Cliffdale (the section line between sections 29 and 30 South Platte River east of Cliffdale) downstream to within ¼ mile of the confluence with the South Platte River.

Total 72.3

Rivers or river segments are designated as Wild The National System currently includes about and Scenic Rivers to keep them in a free- 11,294 miles of river on 172 river segments. In flowing condition and to fulfill vital national contrast to designated wilderness, which is conservation purposes. In the WSRA, Congress managed to maintain a pristine environment, declared that: rivers in the National System are managed to maintain the character of the river in its current . . . certain selected rivers of the Nation state and protect and enhance specific resource which, with their immediate values. The WSRA encourages a cooperative environments, possess outstandingly relationship between the agencies and remarkable scenic, recreational, landowners along designated rivers. Existing geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, uses may continue, including grazing, timber cultural, or other similar values, shall be harvest, and recreation. New uses must be preserved in free-flowing condition, and consistent with the WSRA. Water projects, . . . shall be protected for the benefit including dams or impoundments, are and enjoyment of present and future specifically prohibited. generations.

1-4 ˜ Chapter 1 should provide protection in the 1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR following ways: ACTION ƒ To the extent the Forest Service The purpose and need for action addressed in is authorized under law to this EIS is twofold: control stream impoundments and diversions, the free flowing 1. Document the Wild and Scenic River characteristics of the identified study for the North Fork of the South river cannot be modified. Platte and the South Platte Rivers. The ƒ Outstandingly remarkable values study includes a three-step process: of the identified river area must — Eligibility - determining what river be protected and, to the extent segments are eligible for potential practicable, enhanced. addition to the National System; ƒ Management and development of the identified river and its — Classification - classifying these corridor cannot be modified to segments as to their most protective the degree that eligibility or potential classifications as wild, classification would be affected scenic, or recreational rivers (i.e., classification cannot be — Suitability - evaluating the eligible changed from wild to scenic or segments for their suitability for scenic to recreational). potential addition to the National . . .The protection requirements System. specified above must be 2. Amend the Forest Plan to ensure documented in the forest plan protection of river values pending final prescriptions and continued until a resolution of suitability. This action is decision is made as to the future use in accordance with agency policy to of the river and adjacent lands. . .” protect the values identified in eligible (Forest Service Handbook 1909.12 at segments until they are either designated 8.12) by Congress as elements of the National These rivers were identified as candidates for System or found by the agency to be not inclusion in the National System through the suitable for inclusion in the National forest planning process under section 5(d)(1) of System. This policy states: the WSRA. The study was initiated in response to public concern for protecting unique river — “Rivers identified for study are resources within close proximity to the Denver managed to maintain their and Colorado Springs metropolitan areas from outstanding values….” (Forest Service future water development. Manual at 1924.03(3)) Maps 1-1 through 1-3 show, respectively, the — “Management prescriptions for general vicinity of the study area, the river river corridors identified in the segments studied for eligibility, and the potential National River Inventory, or classifications of the eligible segments. otherwise identified for study,

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-5

Vicinity Map

285 N orth For r k So ve uth en es Pla Pine Jct. D il tte R m iver 20 126 Buffalo 96 Bailey Creek Strontia Springs Res. Jefferson L 67 os Buffalo Creek t C r 96 ee k W ild 126 er 285 ne ss

Deckers Pike National

Cheesman Forest Res.

Pike 67

9 National Forest Hartsel

Lake Woodland Lake George George 24 Park C o lo 24 er iv ra R 5 d te o Elevenmile at m S l i p Res. P le r th s in ou g S s

Land Ownership Roads and Highways Within National 9 State Highways Forest Boundary 24 U. S. Highways Outside National Forest Boundary Denver

Glenwood Springs Colorado Springs Colorado

Map 1-1.—South Platte River and North Fork of the South Platte River Wild and Scenic River Study Vicinity Map.

1-6 ˜ Chapter 1

River Segments Studied for Eligibility

N orth For r k So ve uth en es Pla Pine Jct. D il tte R m F iver 20 (9.7 mi.) Buffalo Bailey Creek G Strontia Springs (17.5 mi.) Res. H (22.9 mi.) E (19.5 mi.) Pike National D Deckers Forest (3.1 mi.) Cheesman Res. Pike National C (10.4 mi.) Forest Legend Area Studied for Eligibility B (7.7 mi.) A Lake Delineates break Woodland George Segment between segments Park Identifier A (8.7 mi.) er iv R Elevenmile tte la P Res. h ut So

Map I-2.—South Platte River and North Fork of the South Platte River Wild and Scenic River Study, River Segments Studied for Eligibility.

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-7

Eligible Segments with Potential Classification

No rth F ork S er outh nv s Pla Pine Jct. e ile tte R D m iver 20 Buffalo Bailey Creek Strontia Springs Res. RECREATIONAL (16.5 mi.) (1.5 mi.) SCENIC (4.9 mi.)

RECREATIONAL (19.5 mi.)

Deckers WILD (3.1 mi.)

Cheesman Res.

WILD (10.4 mi.)

Legend River corridor Delineates break RECREATIONAL WILD between segments (16.4 mi.) Lake Woodland (4.5) Length of segment George Potential in miles Park Classification er iv R Elevenmile tte la P Res. h ut So

Map 1-3.—South Platte River and North Fork of the South Platte River Wild and Scenic River Study, Eligible Segments with Potential Classification.

1-8 ˜ Chapter 1 of local and state governments to participate 1.3 STUDY PROCESS in river corridor management. The Wild and Scenic Rivers study process is Suitability is determined by analysis of several specified in the WSRA and in the associated factors specified in the Forest Service Manual Federal guidelines (Federal Register 47 FR 39454, 1909.12. Some factors to consider in the September 7, 1982). This process has three determination of suitability are: major components: the eligibility determination, the classification analysis, and 1. The characteristics (such as ORVs) that the suitability determination. do or do not make the river corridor a worthy addition to the National System. The purpose of the eligibility determination is to determine if a river meets the minimum 2. The current status of land ownership requirements for addition to the National and use in the area, including the System. In order to be eligible, a river segment amount of private land involved and the must be free-flowing and possess one or more associated or incompatible uses on such “outstandingly remarkable values” (ORVs), in land. categories such as scenic, recreational, geologic, 3. The reasonably foreseeable potential fish, wildlife, historic, ecologic, or cultural uses of the land and water that would be resources. The eligibility determination is enhanced, foreclosed, or curtailed if the documented in Appendices C and D and area were included in the National summarized in Chapter 3. System and the values that could be In the classification analysis, patterns of foreclosed or diminished if the area is development and naturalness in the corridors of not protected as part of the National an eligible river are studied to determine System. whether the river would be classified as wild, 4. Federal, state, local, tribal, public, or scenic, or recreational, if the river eventually other interests in designation or non- were added to the National System. The designation of the river, including the classification analysis is documented in extent to which the administration of Chapter 3. the river, including the costs thereof, The suitability determination is designed to can be shared by state, local, or other determine whether an eligible river is an agencies and individuals. appropriate addition to the National System. 5. The estimated cost of acquiring Alternative ways of managing the river corridor necessary lands or interests in land and are compared, including at least one alternative the cost of administering the area if it is involving Federal designation of all eligible river added to the National System. segments and one alternative involving non- designation. Alternative B recommends 6. Ability of the agency to manage and/or designation of all eligible river segments to the protect the river area or segment as a most protective classification. Alternatives A1 Wild and Scenic River or other (no Federal recommendation action), A2, and mechanisms to protect identified values A3 have no designation recommendation. other than Wild and Scenic River Suitability considerations include the designation. environmental consequences of designation and the manageability of the river if it is 7. Historical or existing rights which could designated, including costs and the willingness be adversely affected. In determining suitability, consideration of any valid

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-9

existing rights must be afforded under extensive public involvement program to ensure applicable laws (including the WSRA), that the alternatives would consider the regulations and/or policies. concerns of landowners; local residents; permittees; water resource developers; water 8. Other issues and concerns identified users in the Denver metropolitan area; Douglas, during the planning process, including Jefferson, Park, and Teller Counties; the States alternative ways to protect the rivers. of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska; and others If a river is found to be eligible, its suitability is having a stake in how the river is managed. The considered in the analysis of alternatives in the public involvement program consisted of public EIS accompanying the study report and the open houses, meetings, newsletters, mailings to Forest Plan amendment. interested parties, and ongoing informal meetings with any party requesting briefings. The original draft legislative environmental impact statement (DLEIS) was issued in April On November 16, 1995, a notice of intent was of 1997. The South Platte Protection Plan published in the Federal Register (vol. 60, (SPPP) (Appendix A) was submitted to the No. 221, p. 57571) to announce that an LEIS Forest Service in May of 1998 by a group and Wild and Scenic River Study Report would comprised of a broad spectrum of stakeholders be prepared and that written comments and as an alternative to designation. The Forest suggestions were invited. In addition, interested Service determined that it was a viable parties were mailed a newsletter and invitations alternative, and included it in a supplemental to public meetings. DLEIS (SDLEIS) released in March of 2000. The Forest Service conducted eight public Based on comments received during both scoping meetings between December 10, 1995, comment periods, many changes were made in and March 14, 1996. The meetings took place the two drafts to produce this final in Bailey, Colorado Springs, Deckers, Denver, environmental impact statement (FEIS). These and Lake George, Colorado, and were attended changes are described in the summary. by about 400 people. All of these meetings If the Forest Supervisor and the Regional were advertised in local and regional media and Forester found the study rivers to be eligible by direct mailings. In some remote areas that and suitable, a recommendation to designate the are perceived to be underserved by media, river Wild and Scenic along with the final LEIS posters located where community members (FLEIS) would be forwarded to the Chief of the were likely to see them, such as post offices and Forest Service, to the Secretary of Agriculture, general stores, also advertised the meetings. and to the President. Approval at these levels Many of these meetings were covered by local would send the recommendation for and regional mass media (newspapers and designation to Congress, along with the FLEIS. radio). In addition, upon request, the Forest Congress then would determine if the Service conducted about 25 briefings for county recommended river(s) or river segment(s) governments, water providers, citizen groups, should be added to the National System. landowners associations, and environmental groups.

Informational materials were mailed out four times: 1.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 1. During the issue identification process, After the stream segments were identified as to inform people about the study and candidates for inclusion into the National request comments on the eligibility and System, the Forest Service conducted an classification determinations.

1-10 ˜ Chapter 1 2. At the start of the suitability deter- Alternative A2, although it had not been fully mination, to let people know about developed at the time. open houses and to request their issues and concerns. Following release of the draft, the local stakeholder groups organized under the 3. Before the second round of open leadership of the Denver Water Board and the houses, to solicit comments on Suburban Water Providers’ Wild and Scenic preliminary alternatives and gather Task Force to develop the details of the additional issues and concerns. A2 alternative. Seventy-three agencies and interest groups were invited to participate in the 4. After the DLEIS was published, to planning process. (See Appendix A for the full announce its availability. list of participants.) Four work groups were These mailings were designed to make sure as established to focus on different aspects of many people as possible were informed about Alternative A2, including: (1) flow the study and how to make their views known. management; (2) water quality; (3) recreation, The mailings reached more than 2,600 people, scenery, and wildlife; and (4) the endowment including those owning land in or adjacent to fund. Once each work group developed a draft the study river corridors; river users; grazing plan, an overall group, the Synthesis Committee, permittees; businesses related to the river put all the pieces together into one package. corridor; recreationists; water providers; water About 46 meetings were conducted over an users; local, state, and Federal agencies; 8-month period. In addition, three large public interested parties; and others who requested to meetings were held at the beginning, middle, be kept informed of the study's progress. and end of the process to get comments from the general public and to allow participants in Periodic briefings were also conducted with individual work groups to hear what other Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson, Park, and Teller groups were doing. County officials; Denver Water; and U.S. congressional delegations beginning in Interest group representatives participated in November 1995. In response to requests, the planning process with the understanding presentations were also made to each county that their participation did not mean they commission, the Metropolitan Water Providers, necessarily supported the plan developed. Each Suburban Water Suppliers Wild and Scenic Task group maintained its right to agree or disagree Force, several county planning departments, with the final product, but all participated with and a variety of organizations in eastern the intent of finding the best solution to their Colorado. Additional issues, concerns, and differences. When the final alternative, entitled opinions were made at these meetings and the “South Platte Protection Plan,” was incorporated into the scoping process. submitted to the Forest Service, each group was asked to submit a letter of support directly to The DLEIS was published in April 1997, and a the Forest Service. The Forest Service received notice of availability was published in the Federal 47 letters with overall mixed support for the Register (vol. 62, No. 70, p. 17810) at the same SPPP. time. During the 90-day comment period following release of the DLEIS, the Forest The Forest Service sent out a public mailing Service received letters and comments from in October 1998 to announce (1) a review of about 324 people and a petition bearing the SPPP and (2) its decision to prepare a 147 signatures. At the time the document was SDLEIS. The letter included a list of issues released, local stakeholders were beginning to and concerns about the SPPP raised by the develop a non-designation protection plan for public or by Forest Service specialists. These the river. This was included in the DLEIS as focused on the SPPP’s adequacy in protecting

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-11

the rivers’ outstandingly remarkable values, development under a non-designation scenario. water quality, and free-flow. As they had done during the development of the original SPPP, members of a Forest Service The Forest Service held a public meeting in interdisciplinary team observed the A2 February 1999 to discuss the issues and development process to provide expertise on concerns about the SPPP and to present ideas technical resource information, agency for a modified SPPP alternative. Several procedures, and the provisions of the WSRA. individual meetings followed this with interested groups to clarify the issues and concerns and to Denver Water held public hearings to address discuss options for addressing the concerns in the contents of the supplemental material in another alternative. Concurrent with these April 2001 in Denver and Deckers. The meetings, the mailing list was updated, and all material was submitted formally to the Forest interested parties were informed of new Service on June 5, 2001. The Forest Service developments. received nine letters of support for the SPPP from local and state agencies, as well as The A2 alternative was amended by the organizations with an interest in management of stakeholder groups in response to concerns that the rivers’ values. The letters specified that their the Streamflow Management Plan (SFMP) did support be based on the premise that the not adequately address impacts from high flows. supplemental material be included in the FEIS. The SDLEIS was released for a 90-day The Forest Service conducted mailings in comment period in March 2000, and a notice of November 2000, December 2001, and availability was published in the Federal Register December 2002 to update the constituency and (vol. 65, No. 63, p. 17265) at the same time. The update the mailing list pending distribution of Forest Service received 232 individual this FEIS. comments during this period. The Forest Service also held public workshops in Bailey, Deckers, Lake George, and Denver, Colorado, during the comment period. All of these 1.5 MONITORING meetings were advertised in local and regional media and by direct mailings. As had been If any of the study corridor is designated as a done for the scoping meetings, posters located Wild and Scenic River, the Forest Service, as the in places such as post offices and general stores, administering agency, would be required to where community members were likely to see identify what monitoring is already taking place, them, also advertised the workshops. A total of coordinate with other entities, and develop and 61 people attended these workshops. Local and implement a monitoring plan to ensure that the metropolitan media also covered the workshops ORVs, free-flowing character, and water quality and reported on the status of the study. are protected and enhanced. The method of Individual group meetings and periodic project review and corrective action would be briefings were also presented for various incorporated in the comprehensive River interest groups and government agencies as Management Plan. requested. Until a decision is made as to the future use of In response to concerns by the Forest Service the river and adjacent lands (discussed under and various stakeholders, the groups that “Purpose and Need for Action” above), and participated in the development of the SPPP, if the South Platte Protection Plan is in effect, the A2 alternative, developed supplemental the Forest Service will coordinate with the material that addresses unanswered questions in SPPP to ensure that the river values, free- the original document, including provisions for flowing character, and water quality are enforcing of the tenets of the SFMP and water protected and perhaps enhanced and that

1-12 ˜ Chapter 1 potential classifications are maintained. Key of free-flow, ORVs, and water quality, it may monitoring features include: become necessary to make a decision on the suitability of the river for designation as a Wild ™ Reviewing proposed activities, and and Scenic River. At that time, it will be ™ Monitoring ongoing activities and determined whether the current EIS is sufficient resource conditions. to support that decision or whether circumstances have changed so much that a new

National Environmental Policy Act document The method of review and corrective action will will need to be prepared. be discussed in the Record of Decision

After publication of the Record of Decision

associated with the current study, the SPPP will provide a management umbrella for dealing 1.6 PUBLIC REVIEW AND with activities affecting free-flow, ORVs, and FUTURE PROCESS water quality in the river corridor. If the SPPP is not implemented in a timely manner, then it Public comments received on the DLEIS and may become necessary for the Forest Service to the SDLEIS were utilized in preparing this proceed with making a decision on suitability. FEIS. Following a comment period on this Similarly, if over time it becomes apparent that FEIS and Draft Plan Amendment, the Forest the SPPP is not protecting free-flow, ORVs, Service intends to review the comments and and water quality in the river corridor sufficient then issue a Record of Decision that amends to comply with agency policy regarding eligible the Forest Plan to ensure protection of free- rivers, it may also become necessary for the flow, ORVs, and water quality. If at a later date Forest Service to proceed with making a the Forest Service receives a proposal for some decision on suitability. Criteria associated with activity that is inconsistent with the protection evaluating the SPPP’s effectiveness are discussed in Chapter 4 under Preferred Alternative.

Purpose of and Need for Action ˜ 1-13

Chapter 2

Description of Area

CHAPTER 2 Description of Area (Affected Environment)

2.1 INTRODUCTION community of South Platte. Both study rivers are located primarily within the Pike National The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the Forest (National Forest). The eligible river character and resources of the Wild and Scenic segments studied comprise 72.3 miles of River study corridors along the South Platte streams. River and the North Fork of the South Platte. It describes the current conditions and existing trends to acquaint people with the study corridors and provide a basis from which to 2.3 RIVER DESCRIPTIONS assess the consequences of the various designation and management alternatives The North Fork of the South Platte (North presented in Chapter 4. An additional summary Fork) originates on the east crest of the description of some of the affected Continental Divide at the base of Teller environment and current conditions for each Mountain, 10 miles northeast of Breckenridge, study river is also found in the Eligibility and in Park County, Colorado. The stream flows Classification Determinations in Appendices C east for 50.3 miles into Jefferson County, and D. Colorado, to its confluence with the South Platte River, 22 miles southwest of Denver. The term “river” is used in this document as Although the entire river was considered in the defined in section 16(a) of the Wild and Scenic eligibility determination, only that 22.9-mile Rivers Act, which states that, “‘River’ means a portion of the stream from the upstream flowing body of water or estuary, or a section, boundary of the Berger property near Insmont, portion, or tributary thereof, including rivers, Colorado, downstream to its confluence with streams, creeks, runs, kills, rills, and small the South Platte River was found eligible and lakes.” The words “river” and “stream” are included in the study corridor. used interchangeably throughout this report. The South Platte River is formed by the Middle Fork and South Fork, 2 miles west of Hartsel, Colorado. The Middle Fork originates on the 2.2 REGIONAL SETTING east crest of the Continental Divide near Wheeler Mountain, in Park County, Colorado, The North Fork of the South Platte and the 13 miles northwest of Fairplay and flows South Platte River are located in east-central southeast to its confluence with the South Fork. Colorado and are part of the Platte River The South Fork originates on the Continental drainage. Their headwaters lie high in the Divide at Weston Pass in Park County, Rocky Mountains on the Continental Divide, Colorado, and flows southeast through Antero and they drain eastward through the Front Reservoir to its confluence with the Middle Range, merging at the unincorporated

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-1

Fork. From Hartsel, in the middle of a grass- 2.5 PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS covered basin called South Park, the South Platte flows southeast for 20 miles through the AND GEOLOGY Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile Reservoirs, then turns northeast through the Front Range, PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS flowing through Cheesman, Strontia Springs, and Chatfield Reservoirs in Park, Teller, The two rivers are located within the Front Douglas, and Jefferson Counties to Denver. Range, a complex portion of the Southern From Denver, it continues northeast, across the Rocky Mountains. This northerly trending plains, to its confluence with the North Platte, range is bounded on the east by the Denver forming the Platte River, just east of North Basin and on the west by South Park. Igneous Platte, Nebraska. The 49.4-mile portion of the and metamorphic rock compose this mountain South Platte River from Elevenmile Dam to range, which stretches from Cripple Creek Strontia Springs Reservoir (excluding Cheesman north to Wyoming and is more than 40 miles Reservoir) was considered in the eligibility wide at its widest point west of Boulder. The determination, found eligible, and is included in Front Range consists of several granitic the study corridor. batholiths, including the Pikes Peak, Sherman, and Boulder Creek Batholiths. The Pikes Peak Each study river corridor is approximately one- Batholith is the main feature of the study area. half mile wide (one-quarter mile on each side of At higher elevations, the topography has been the river's usual high-water mark). This molded by glacial activity. The glacial and comprises the study area covered in this report. postglacial erosion has resulted in the None of the study segments lie within any State deposition of alluvial materials along major Scenic Waterway or State Protected River drainages at lower elevations. The Kenosha corridors. Hills and Tarryall Mountains are northwest- trending features that form the western edge of the South Platte drainage basin. The Rampart Range forms the eastern edge of the basin. 2.4 CLIMATE Locatable minerals are minerals such as gold, The mountains and valleys of the South Platte silver, copper, lead, cinnabar, tin, gemstones, or and the North Fork basins exhibit marked other valuable deposits. Two areas within or differences in climate. The higher elevations adjacent to the study corridors are known to along the western boundary of both basins have the potential for locatable minerals. The receive most of their precipitation as snowfall in South Platte Pegmatite District is centered the winter. Average annual precipitation in the around Raleigh Peak near South Platte, and the high mountains is about 40 inches. The portion Tarryall Mining District lies just northwest of of the watershed from South Park eastward Lake George. Mining claims are located within usually receives relatively small accumulations of T. 11 and 12 S., R. 71W, and T. 08 and 09 S., snowfall. Average annual precipitation in this R. 70 W. The Bureau of Land Management’s area ranges from 11 to 15 inches, measured at (BLM’s) Geographic Mining Claims Index for Hartsel and Cheesman, respectively, and it March 26, 2002, shows 3 current claims and usually comes in the form of convective 82 that are closed. All the lands within the river rainstorms. In the high mountains along the corridors are open to mineral entry except for western boundary, average annual temperature specific areas such as campgrounds. However, is less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). the potential for leasable mineral resources (oil Temperature in the valleys averages about and gas deposits) or active quarry sites within 45 °F. either corridor is low. The oil and gas Record of Decision for the Pike and San Isabel

2-2 ˜ Chapter 2 National Forests and the Cimarron and ash trapped insects and fish, preserving them, Comanche Grasslands (PSICC), signed along with stumps and trees at Florissant. February 12, 1992, designated no leases on the During the Quaternary Period, glaciers filled the mainstem and no surface occupancy on the high mountain valleys, the glacial outwash North Fork. created alluvial fills in the lower valleys and terrace levels, and landslides areas were formed. The majority of the rock types found in this study were created from 1.7 to 1.0 billion years ago during the Proterozoic Eon of Precambrian REGIONAL GEOLOGY time (Chronic and Chronic, 1972). The oldest The Front Range is a northerly trending band of rock unit is a biotite gneiss created during the Precambrian age rocks that extends north from middle Proterozoic. Various younger granites, the Wet Mountains into Wyoming, terminating mainly in the Elevenmile area, were formed with the Laramie Range (Bryant et al., 1981; from 1.7 to1.4 billion years ago. Erosion Scott et al., 1978). This range constitutes about followed, creating low rolling hills close to sea half of the Southern Rocky Mountains level. In a cycle repeated several times, episodes physiographic province, a band of complex of mountain building, accompanied by mountains with intermontane basins, defined by metamorphism of pre-existing rocks, were faulting on the eastern and western edges followed by erosion. A long period of erosion (Fenneman, 1931). The Front Range is completed Precambrian time. bounded on the east by the asymmetrical Some Paleozoic Era rocks are found in the Denver Basin, which extends northeast into Manitou Half-Graben, a structural feature that Nebraska. The Denver Basin contains thick lies to the east of the river corridor adjacent to sedimentary sequences, which have been the Rampart Range. The rock types include uplifted to create hogbacks along the western sandstones, limestones, dolomites, edge of the basin. South Park, a complex basin conglomerates, and shales. Among other filled with sedimentary units that have been things, they reflect an episode of mountain faulted and thrusted, lies to the west of the building during the Pennsylvanian Period of the Front Range (DeVoto, 1971). The Manitou Paleozoic, which created the ancestral Rocky Half-Graben, containing Upper Paleozoic Mountains. rocks, lies to the east of Cheesman Reservoir. The Ute Pass Fault forms the western boundary Mesozoic Era rocks are missing in the study of the half-graben. The main component of the area. Strata preserved east of the Front Range, Front Range in the river corridor is the Pikes however, show that conditions in Colorado Peak Batholith, an irregular mass of granitic- during that era ranged from arid plains to type rocks about 1.1 billion years old (Tweto, shallow marine environments that created 1987). The Pikes Peak Granite includes the generally fine-grained sandstones and shales. West Creek and Tarryall Creek Plutons and the Redskin and Lake George Stocks, all varied An episode of mountain building, known as the compositional forms of granitic rocks. Laramide Orogeny, began near the end of the Mesozoic and continued into the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic Era. This activity LOCAL GEOLOGY created several north-south-trending ranges, The river corridors cut through the Pikes Peak including the Front Range. This uplift consists Granite, outcroppings of biotite gneiss, various of a linear block, faulted on both sides with other Precambrian age granites, and Oligocene hogbacks to the east. Mineralized solutions lake sediments, as shown on the geologic map migrated upward through joints and faults in (map 2-1). The Pikes Peak Batholith is roughly the crust. Oligocene lava flows, east of the oval shaped and covers about 1,200 square study area, created a lake in which fine volcanic

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-3

Legend – Geologic Map Correlation of Map Unit

Pliocene Ogallala formation

Pliocene bouldery gravel

Oligocene Florissant Lake Beds

Oligocene andesitic lavas, breccias, and tuffs

Map 2-1.—Geologic map.

2-4 ˜ Chapter 2 miles of the southern Front Range (Bryant, The Precambrian biotite gneiss has been 1974, 1976; Peterson, 1964; Scott, 1963). The mapped as banded or layered sequences of batholith consists of white to moderate orange- sillimanitic biotite-muscovite and fine-grained pink, medium to coarse-grained biotite and biotite varieties located around the Pikes Peak hornblende-biotite granite, which is very Batholith border. The gneiss is fine to medium susceptible to weathering. Gradational rock grained, well foliated as shown by a planar types within the batholith include quartz arrangement of the biotite crystals, and monzonite, granodiorite, and syenite. The composed mainly of quartz, biotite, and granite is composed of microcline perthite, oligoclase, with minor hornblende and quartz, hornblende, and biotite. The grains microcline. The gneissic contact with the Pikes range in diameter from 1 inch for perthite to Peak Granite is sharp and well defined. Granite one-quarter inch for quartz with 1-inch thick gneiss and amphibolite are mapped locally. The books of biotite. Outcrops are generally large, gneiss weathers easily, particularly where there is rounded cubical forms that are perched atop a concentration of biotite, to form smooth each other, or large, slabby, tabular forms. outcrop surfaces. Segregations of biotite and hornblende weather out as knobby forms of the granite surface. The The Precambrian granites range from 1.4 to quartz monzonite is a porphyritic, coarse- 1.7 billion years in age (Tweto, 1979; Wobus, grained, light gray to light-pinkish-gray rock 1976). They are medium- to coarse-grained with dark speckles. Granodiorite and syenite porphyritic quartz monzonites, quartz diorites, are limited in the study area. They are and granodiorites. The mineral composition composed of oligocene, microcline, quartz, includes microcline, quartz, oligoclase, biotite, biotite, and microcline. Many xenoliths of and muscovite with minor hornblende. These gneiss and migmatite are found in the batholith. rocks are generally a pale pink compared to the Northwest-trending sandstone dikes can be brighter color of the Pikes Peak Granite. The traced in faults at South Platte and Buffalo feldspar crystals, microcline, and oligoclase Creek (Scott, 1963). The sandstone is red or weather to form tabular features on the surface. green fine-grained quartz of Cambrian age. A porphyritic quartz monzonite borders the Aplite dikes that strike north 60 degrees west batholith west of Lake George and crops out in and dip10 degrees northeast, occupy fractures in Elevenmile Canyon. The rock is a medium- to the granite. They average 2 feet in width over coarse-grained, pink porphyritic quartz distances of several hundred feet. The jointing monzonite with 1- to 1.5-centimeter microcline is northwest oriented with a shallow southeast phenocrysts in a biotite-rich groundmass. The dip, creating beds of 12 inches and greater in mineral composition includes quartz, thickness. The granite can easily weather to plagioclase, microcline, biotite, and minor depths of 15 feet along joints or fractures. The muscovite. weathering of the biotite and feldspar leaves a The Oligocene Florissant Fossil Beds extend surface of friable aggregate. Pegmatite seams from the national monument at Florissant are found throughout the granite, particularly northwest to Lake George (Wobus and Epis, around the edge of the batholith. They may be 1978). These beds are composed of arkosic and either circular or elliptical in shape. The quartz- volcanic conglomerates, tuff and volcanic microcline-muscovite variety of pegmatite is the mudflow breccias, tuffaceous shale and most abundant. Tourmaline, beryl, and fluorite mudstones, and pumiceous tuffs. The beds are are found within these pegmatite seams. less than 150 feet thick and generally lie Cavities in the seams contain crystals of pale horizontal. Plant and insect fossils and brown microcline, clear quartz, and muscovite fossilized stumps and logs are found in these perched on the microcline and quartz. beds. Examples are well exposed in the monument.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-5

Alluvial materials of varied composition are Industrial Minerals found along both river corridors, particularly at A group of more than 50 rare earth and wide points and at the confluence of the forks. fluorine-rich pegmatites constitutes the South Landslide, talus, and morainal deposits are not Platte Pegmatite District (Simmons and found in either river corridor. Heinrich, 1980). The Pine Creek pegmatite, located north of the Noddle Heads, and others STRUCTURE in the district contain byproduct fluorspar (Van Alstine, 1964). The pegmatite composition in Many faults occur in the area, and several major the South Platte Pegmatite District, which is ones are labeled on the geologic map (map 2-1). centered around Raleigh Peak, is similar to the Along the Elkhorn Fault, which forms the adjacent country rock, Pikes Peak Granite. western border of the batholith, the granitic Specific minerals found include quartz, feldspar rocks were thrust at a low angle over the (oligoclase, orthoclase, and microcline), biotite, sedimentary units in South Park. The Jarre magnetite, and, locally, hornblende, garnet, Canyon and Rampart Range Faults form the beryl, tourmaline, and sillimanite (Hawley and eastern edge of the batholith. These high-angle Wobus, 1977; Peterson, 1964). Mining activity faults have dropped the sedimentary units of the in the Raleigh Peak area pursued feldspar, along Denver-Julesburg Basin down in relation to the with mica, beryl, topaz, fluorite, and some rare- Pikes Peak Granite. The Manitou Half-Graben earth minerals. The pegmatite dikes are large, is a repeat of a portion of the Paleozoic section complex, nearly vertical, and circular to with the Ute Pass Fault Zone forming the elliptical; and they have definite zonation with western edge. The Platte River, Pine Gulch, bull-quartz centers that usually crop out above and Green Mountain Faults named by Harza the ground surface. Engineering (1985) are located within the river corridors. Area seismicity has been well Groups of pegmatites are also found north of documented by the U.S. Army Corps of Noddle Heads on Pine Creek, 3 miles northwest Engineers (USACE) (USACE, 1986). of Cheesman Dam on Wigwam Creek, and around Crystal Peak (Voynick, 1994). These MINERALS pegmatites have produced clear and smoky quartz, greenish-white and pale blue amazonite, Although the corridors and surrounding areas muscovite, orthoclase, and purple fluorite. have had some past mining history, activity has Museum-grade topaz crystals have been been minimal since the end of the 19th century. excavated from pockets in the granite around Of the study corridors' 82 mining claims, none Crystal Peak. Other minerals found in these are currently producing, and only 3 are active. pockets include phenakite and goethite. The potential for future commercial operations Crushed quartz has been removed from various for locatable and leasable minerals within the pegmatites in the South Platte area (Adams, study corridors is very low. Although the study 1964). corridors have some potential for aggregate sources, they contain no active quarry sites. Metals The potential for development of new sites is low due to the recreation use, fisheries, and A caved trench oriented N. 22° W. lies in other resource values in the study corridors. sec. 18, T. 12S., R. 71 W., near Happy The mineral resources described below are Meadows. The trench was driven in a light- shown on the mineral resources map (map 2-2). salmon-colored granite probably for uranium or rare-earth elements. It is close to the Lake George beryllium area. Nelson-Moore and others (1978) reported a uranium occurrence

2-6 ˜ Chapter 2

Legend – Mineral Resource Map

Mining Activity

Adit

Shaft

Prospects(s)

Commodities

Aggregates (sand, stone, gius, granite

Gemstone

Flourspar

Pegmatite, 5+ siles

Pegmatite, 1–4 sites

Forest Boundary

Map 2-2.—Minerals Resources Map.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-7

1 mile to the north, but it may actually be the South Platte and 7,202 on the North Fork— same occurrence. The Gilley Ranch skarn with ownership apportioned as shown in deposit lies west of the river in sec. 32, T. 11 S., table 2-1. Federal lands include 13,953 acres of R. 71 W. (Heinrich, 1981). A 5-foot-wide the Pike National Forest, administered by the scheelite-bearing zone was mapped in the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, workings. Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands. County lands within the study corridor include Aggregates 545 acres in Pine Valley Ranch, an open space park owned by Jefferson County, plus The alluvial fill found along the rivers is derived 29 additional acres that were transferred to the from the area bedrock, mainly the Pikes Peak county by the BLM in 2001. The Denver Water Batholith. The fill is generally granitic in Department (Denver Water) owns 3,352 acres, composition, consisting mainly of feldspar, and private lands account for 4,750 acres. quartz, and mica flakes. The quality and Table 2-2 shows the distribution of land quantity of each deposit varies according to the ownership in each of the study segments. See location. There is sufficient material available also maps 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5. between South Platte and Pine to be possible resources (Schwochow and Shroba, 1975). The proportion of public to private lands has Mineral resource areas were defined by the remained stable for several decades. Prior to USACE (USACE, 1986) and are shown on the that, Denver Water was actively acquiring mineral resources map (map 2-2). private lands for the potential Two Forks Reservoir between Strontia Springs Reservoir Localized slide areas, colluvial deposits, and and Cheesman Dam on the South Platte and small terraces can be found within the river between the confluence and Bailey on the corridors. The sand, gravel, cobbles, and North Fork. boulder shapes vary from subrounded to angular in these deposits. The Pikes Peak The two rivers in this study are not recognized Granite is a good source material for road as navigable by the State of Colorado. In surfacing and subsurface material. Quarry accordance with law as interpreted today, the locations and crushing specifications can be bed and the banks belong to the adjacent formulated for the required use. property owner. Quartz has been mined from the South Platte pegmatites for terrazzo purposes. 2.7 LAND USE Leasable Minerals FOREST PLAN MANAGEMENT AREAS There are no known petroleum, natural gas, or coal resources in the river corridors (Smith National Forest System lands are managed in et al., 1991; Jones et al., 1979; Tremain, 1984). accordance with the Land and Resource Geothermal resources are found in the area, but Management Plan for the Pike and San Isabel not within the river corridors (Pearl, 1980). National Forests, Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands (Forest Plan), approved in November 1984. The Forest Plan determined that the 26.8-mile segment of the South Platte 2.6 LAND OWNERSHIP River from Elevenmile Dam to Cheesman Reservoir was eligible for inclusion into the The study corridors encompass a total of Wild and Scenic River System and approximately 22,629 acres—15,427 on the recommended a suitability analysis (the plan

2-8 ˜ Chapter 2 South Platte and North Fork of the South Platte Rivers Cheesman Wild and Scenic River Study Corridor Reservoir Land Ownership and Road Access Cheesman Reservoir to Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir

211

77

24

South Platte River Pike National Forest

Lake Other Ownership George Reservoir Roads

0 0.5 1 2 Miles

24

Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir M a p

2 - 3

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South Platte and North Fork of the South Platte Rivers Wild and Scenic Study Corridor Land Ownership and Road Access 97 Insmont to Confluence with the South Platte River

285

126

Pine

South Platte

North Fork of the South Platte Pike National Forest Buffalo Creek Other Ownership Estabrook Roads

0 0.5 1 2 Miles

126

/fsfiles/office/wild_scenic/fin_data/mxd/fin_ma_1_6.mxd jmr 05/12/2003 Table 2-1.—Land Ownership of Eligible Study Rivers U.S. Forest Service Jefferson County Denver Water Private Ownership River Acres % Acres % Acres % Acres % South Platte 11,783 76.4 0 0.0 1,710 11.1 1,934 12.5 North Fork 2,170 30.1 574 8.0 1,642 22.8 2,816 39.1 Totals 13,953 61.7 574 2.5 3,352 14.8 4,750 21.0

Table 2-2.—Land Ownership of Eligible Study Segments U.S. Forest Jefferson Denver Service County Water Private River Segment Acres % Acres % Acres % Acres % A&B - South Platte, Elevenmile to 3,911 75 0 0 0 0 1,302 25 Beaver Creek. C - South Platte, Beaver Creek to 3,267 98 0 0 52 2 0 0 Cheesman. D - South Platte, Cheesman to Wigwam 680 71 0 0 281 29 0 0 Club. E - South Platte, Wigwam Club to 3,925 66 0 0 1,377 23 632 11 Strontia Springs H1 & H3 – North Fork, Insmont to 1,165 19 574 15 1,642 29 2,312 41 Estabrook and Cliffdale to confluence H2 - North Fork, Estabrook to Cliffdale 1,005 67 0 0 0 0 504 33 Total 13,953 62 574 2 3,352 15 4,750 21 Total length of eligible segments = 72.3 miles. Total acreage in eligible study corridors = 22,629 acres.

listed the length as 23 miles, but it has been Plan after designation, or until the segment is revised to 26.8 miles through use of Geographic found not suitable for designation. In the latter Information System data). Pending the case, the management of the area is released outcome of the suitability analysis, this segment from special protection and reverts to the and the adjoining study corridor are included in Forest Plan management area in which the a special management area under the Forest corridor lies. Plan. The special management area, called the Scenic River Corridor, provides additional Various segments of the study corridors lie protection to preserve the characteristics that within several different management areas, as made the segment eligible for potential Wild defined under the Forest Plan. The following is and Scenic designation—specifically, its free- a summary of the areas’ management activities. flow, water quality, and outstandingly More complete descriptions of the management remarkable values. The special protection areas and their general direction, management continues until replaced by a River Management activities, and standards and guidelines are given in Chapter III of the Forest Plan.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-9

Scenic River Corridor Recreation and other human activities are regulated to favor the needs of the indicator River segments that have been determined species. Roaded-natural recreation eligible for potential addition to the National opportunities are provided along forest arterial Wild and Scenic Rivers System are protected and collector roads. Some local roads and trails from activities that could diminish or change are open to public motorized travel, and these the free-flowing character, water quality, or the provide semi-primitive motorized recreation scenic, recreational, fish and wildlife, and other opportunities. Others are closed, providing values that make the river eligible for semi-primitive nonmotorized opportunities. designation. This is an interim management direction that applies to all study river segments upstream from Cheesman Reservoir. Management Area 5B Management emphasizes is forage and cover on Management Area 2A big game winter ranges. Winter habitat for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats is Management emphasis is for semi-primitive emphasized. Treatments to increase forage motorized recreation opportunities such as production or to create and maintain thermal snowmobiling, four-wheel driving, and and hiding cover for big game are applied. New motorcycling, both on and off roads and trails. roads, other than short-term, temporary roads, Motorized travel may be restricted or seasonally are located outside the management area. prohibited on designated routes to protect Short-term roads are obliterated within one physical and biological resources. Range season after intended use. Existing roads are resource management provides sustained forage closed, and new motorized recreation use is yields. managed to prevent unacceptable stress on big game animals during the primary big game use Management Area 2B season. Management emphasis provides opportunity for outdoor recreation in rural and roaded natural Management Area 7A settings, including developed recreation facilities Management emphasis is productive tree stand and year-round motorized and nonmotorized management on lands available, capable, and recreation. Motorized travel may be restricted suitable for production of a variety of or seasonally prohibited on designated routes to commercial and noncommercial wood protect physical and biological resources. products. Roaded-natural recreation opportunities are provided along forest arterial Management Area 3A and collector roads. Semi-primitive motorized Management emphasis is for semi-primitive recreation opportunities are provided on those nonmotorized recreation in a nonwilderness, local roads and trails that remain open; semi- semi-primitive setting. Roads are closed to primitive nonmotorized recreation public use. opportunities are provided on those that are closed.

Management Area 4B OTHER MANAGEMENT AREAS AND USES Management emphasis is on the wildlife habitat needs of one or more management indicator The following is a list of management areas and species. Species with compatible habitat needs other uses in the study corridors. are selected for an area. The goal is to optimize habitat capability and, thus, numbers of species.

2-10 ˜ Chapter 2 North Fork of the South Platte River Management Area 2B. The area upstream from Lake George (Elevenmile Canyon) contains About half of the North Fork study corridor several developed campgrounds and picnic lies outside the National Forest, and Denver areas and is quite heavily used by the public. Water, Jefferson County, and private individuals Site-specific management in Elevenmile Canyon own almost 70 percent of the corridor. is governed by the Elevenmile Canyon The upper 4 miles of the study corridor, from Ecosystem Project, which was approved in May Insmont downstream to the Park County– 1995. The purpose of the plan is to enhance Jefferson County line, lie within the Pike the quality of the recreation experience and National Forest in Management Area 5B. The activities, while reducing resource damage. area from the county line downstream to the From 1 mile downstream from Beaver Creek to forest boundary lies in Management Area 7A. Cheesman Reservoir, the study corridor is in However, because of very difficult access and Management Area 2A, except for a small surrounding private property, the area has been portion west of the South Platte River managed similar to Management Area 5B. downstream from Wildcat Creek, which is in From the National Forest boundary, the study Management Area 3A. corridor passes for several miles though either From Cheesman Dam downstream to the private property or the Pine Valley Ranch (a confluence with the North Fork, the study Jefferson County open space park). The study corridor falls mostly in Management Area 2B. corridor re-enters the forest below Pine and, The area downstream from the Wigwam Club is although it stays mostly on private land, readily accessible by roads and contains several includes a 2-mile section of Management developed and dispersed recreation sites Area 7A between Pine and Riverview. (trailheads, parking areas, campgrounds, The lower portion of this study segment, from camping areas, and picnic areas). Downstream Riverview to the confluence with the South from Deckers, Denver Water is the largest Platte River, lies in Management Area 2B. The landholder, but their holdings are interspersed corridor is mostly on lands owned by Denver with private and National Forest System lands. Water and private individuals, except for The 3.1-mile portion east of the South Platte 29 acres recently transferred to Jefferson from Cheesman Dam to the Wigwam Club County by the BLM. Parts of it are outside of property lies in Management Area 5B, and the the forest boundary. The lands are currently portion east of the South Platte from Deckers under consideration for trade with Denver to Oxyoke lies in Management Area 7A (only Water for other lands in the area. 1 mile of this section is located on National Forest). Very little timber remains within the South Platte River study corridor in this area. The South Platte River study corridor is entirely The lowest section of the South Platte study within the Pike National Forest and contains corridor, from the confluence with the North about 75 percent National Forest System lands. Fork to Strontia Springs Reservoir, is in The 26.8-mile section of the study corridor Management Area 4B. from Elevenmile Dam to Cheesman Reservoir has special management area status, as Special Areas previously discussed, but also lies within several regular management areas. There are no wilderness areas, research natural areas, or inventoried roadless areas in the study From Elevenmile Dam to a mile downstream corridors. The Lost Creek Wilderness lies from Beaver Creek, the study corridor lies in

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-11

immediately west of the study area and is within several retail stores and a restaurant leased from 1 mile of the South Platte study corridor near Denver Water. A volunteer fire department is Corral Creek. located in Trumbull. A few ranches with grazing and irrigated hay fields occur in the Access, Structures, and Private Land Uses upper portions of the North Fork study corridor and just north of Lake George. There The study corridors are within a 90-minute is little timber production in the study corridors. drive of two-thirds of the State’s population, and most of the area is easily accessible by Utilities roads, which parallel the river. Exceptions are Segments C, D, and the “scenic” portion of H, Two high power transmission lines cross the which have little or no road access. Small South Platte study corridor—one at Corral communities and many structures are present in Creek (Segment C2) and one north of Happy parts of the study corridors. On National Meadows Campground, also in Segment C. Forest System lands, there are fewer structures; Also, a water pipeline that parallels and these are limited to bridges, developed and U.S. Highway 24 crosses the South Platte study dispersed campgrounds, stream monitoring corridor at Lake George. The pipeline and the stations, several abandoned mining cabins, and two powerlines all run within designated utility summer homes under special-use permits. corridors identified in the Forest Plan. Under Denver Water is the largest non-Federal the Federal Land Management Policy Act, the landowner. Its lands are managed for water Forest Service recognizes that these corridors delivery, dispersed recreation, summer-home would be given first consideration for the rentals, and resource protection to ensure high location of future electric, gas, oil, and water quality. Prior to the Two Forks Dam communication facilities, regardless of potential proposal, Denver Water acquired many of the for Wild and Scenic River designation. private lands on the South Platte from Deckers to the North Fork confluence and on the North STUDY SEGMENT DESCRIPTIONS Fork from the confluence to Ferndale because the Two Forks Reservoir would have inundated The following are descriptions of the study those areas. Even though the Environmental corridors showing private land uses and the Protection Agency (EPA) denied the permit for locations of roads, bridges, and structures. the dam and reservoir, Denver Water is continuing to acquire some land from willing South Platte – Segment A sellers in the study area. This 8.7-mile segment from just below the fence Private lands within the study corridors are line beneath Elevenmile Dam to the private primarily year-round rural residences, though land boundary south of Lake George lies within some small communities are scattered along the the Pike National Forest and, except for a small rivers. These include, on the North Fork, the area owned by the Boy Scouts of America, is unincorporated towns of Pine and Buffalo entirely National Forest System lands. The area Creek and the communities of Estabrook, is characterized as a rocky, 400-foot deep Crossons, Cliffdale, Riverview, Ferndale, Argyle, V-shaped granite canyon containing a fast- Foxton, Dome Rock, Long-view, and South flowing mountain stream with a very narrow Platte; and, on the South Platte River, the valley floor (or, in some places, no valley floor). incorporated town of Lake George and the The entire segment is paralleled by National communities of Nighthawk, Oxyoke, Trumbull, Forest System Road (NFSR) 96, which follows and Deckers. The towns include about an old railroad grade through several tunnels. 200 houses, community buildings, churches, Elevenmile Canyon is included in a special and several retail businesses. Deckers contains

2-12 ˜ Chapter 2 recreation management area administered by the segment between Tappan Gulch and Vermillion Forest Service and used primarily for developed Creek is mostly National Forest System lands, and dispersed recreation, including camping, and other National Forest lands lie above the picnicking, hiking, fishing, tubing, swimming, subdivisions on Crystal and Vermillion Creeks. and driving for pleasure. This area includes the Reservoir, Cove, and Riverside Campgrounds; The area includes U.S. Highway 24 and County the Idlewild, Messenger Gulch, Elevenmile, and Road 96, both of which have bridges across the O’Brien Picnic Areas; numerous designated South Platte. Other roads include NFSR 79, parking areas; and some of the Sleeping Tom which parallels the lake for a mile; NFSR 298, Summer Homes under special-use permit. The which intersects 79 and leaves the corridor to Wagon Tongue and Springer Gulch the southwest; County Road 77, which parallels Campgrounds are located just outside the study the South Platte for a mile north of Lake corridor. The corridor also contains George; NFSR 207, which intersects County NFSR 96-1 E and NFSR 96-1-F, which are half- Road 77 and parallels the west side of the South mile-long dead-end roads that access the Platte for 3 miles, from Tappan Gulch to summer homes and Springer Gulch Beaver Creek; NFSR 897, which parallels the Campground. NFSR 244 provides access to east side of the South Platte from Vermillion Wagon Tongue Campground but continues Creek to Beaver Creek; and many city and outside the corridor. Other developments in private subdivision roads. Other improvements the area include a 10-foot diversion dam and include several old ranch buildings near Tappan abandoned aqueduct near Lake George and a Gulch; several dams and small ponds along private road with several old buildings up Tappan Gulch, Vermillion Creek, and Crystal Rankin Gulch on Boy Scout Camp Alexander. Creek; a small pond along the South Platte near (The camp and most of the other improvements Crystal Creek; a private river bridge near Crystal are located just outside the corridor boundary.) Creek; an aqueduct that parallels U.S. Highway 24; the small Happy Meadows Campground administered by the Forest Service; a Forest South Platte – Segment B Service trailhead; and a Forest Service trail, In this 7.7-mile segment from Lake George to which parallels the river for several miles Beaver Creek, the river channel and the valley downstream from Vermillion Creek. floor both widen, and the canyon disappears from Lake George to Tappan Gulch. From South Platte – Segment C Tappan Gulch to Beaver Creek, the valley bottom narrows, and the river enters another This 10.4-mile segment, from the north end of 200- to 400-foot-deep canyon. Most of the private lands near Beaver Creek to the Segment B is privately owned. It includes the backwaters of Cheesman Reservoir, is known as town of Lake George with several hundred Wildcat Canyon. This segment lies within the houses, community buildings, fire department, Pike National Forest and is entirely National cemetery, schools, churches, and several retail Forest System lands, except for the lowest businesses; the lake itself with several dams and 750 feet of the corridor, which is owned by a mile-long diversion channel; subdivisions with Denver Water. The area is used for dispersed 25 to 50 houses each around the lake, on recreation including hiking, fishing, and semi- Vermillion Creek, and on Crystal Creek. The primitive motorized recreation (four-wheel area is used primarily for year-round residences, drives, all terrain vehicles, and motorcycles). but there is some private recreational use on Here, the river flows through a rugged, Lake George. Some hay fields and grazing V-shaped, 400- to 600-foot-deep granite canyon pastures exist along the mile-long reach from with steep canyon walls and numerous large U.S. Highway 24 to Tappan Gulch. A 2-mile rock formations. The area is undeveloped and inaccessible except in Segment C2. In this

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-13

segment, a mile of National Forest System Trail South Platte – Segment D (NFST 654) runs along the west side of the This 3.1-mile segment, from the downstream corridor at the upper end, and another National end of the stream gage below Cheesman Dam Forest System Trail (NFST 619, used as a four- to the upstream end of the Wigwam Club wheel drive road) runs from NFSR 210 to the property, is known as Cheesman Canyon. South Platte River near Platte Springs and north Although it lies within the Pike National Forest, to Tarryall Creek. A four-wheel-drive road the upper 0.9-mile is owned by Denver Water comes down to the river near Corral Creek and the lower 2.2 miles by the Forest Service. (NFSR 540). One can ford the river here and The area is accessible only by the Gill Trail climb out of the canyon to the east near (NFST 610), which parallels the entire west Longwater Gulch (NFSR 221). NFSR 540 bank of the river. A 600-foot-deep V-shaped turns south just before the ford and parallels the canyon with steep canyon sides and numerous west bank for a mile, then fords Tarryall Creek large rock formations characterizes the area. and meets NFST 220A. NFST 220A fords the Although the area lies immediately below South Platte and turns southeast towards the Cheesman Dam and the dam is visible from the Hackett Gulch road (NFST 220). The Hackett upper 1 mile of the segment, the canyon is Gulch Road still fords the river at its primitive, and there are no other developments westernmost point, but NFSR 220B on the west in the corridor. side has been closed to the top of the ridge. NFSR 200B continues from there to NFST 619. In addition, four-wheel drive roads in South Platte – Segment E Segment C3 proceed down Metberry Creek and This 19.5-mile segment from the north end of Northrup Gulch to the study corridor the Wigwam Club property to the backwaters of (NFSR 205 and 206). Although some of these Strontia Springs Reservoir lies within the Pike at one time forded the South Platte, the National Forest. The area is predominately Northrup Gulch Road was closed several years National Forest System land, with about ago about one-quarter mile from the river to 20 percent owned by Denver Water and mitigate erosion and protect resource values. 10 percent privately owned. This segment, like The Metberry Creek Road, which currently goes the upper end of the North Fork segment, is to the river, has been closed at the river crossing characterized as an open, 500- to 1,500-foot- below what was formerly the Custer Cabins to wide river valley with meadows, grasslands, and reduce erosion on a quarter-mile-long steep willow shrubs along a meandering stream. Side section. slopes are moderate, and the valley rims average All of these roads were closed pursuant to the 600 feet. An abandoned railroad spur used to Hayman Fire in June 2002 and will remain provide access to Nighthawk from the main line closed until a roads analysis can be completed. up the North Fork. The old grade is mostly At that time, a determination will be made on covered by the county road but is evident in whether to open roads, maintain closures, or places. This entire segment is paralleled by decommission paved County Road 126 from the Wigwam Club to Deckers, paved County Road 67 and 97 Developments in this segment include remnants from Deckers to Nighthawk, and graveled of old mining cabins on Tarryall Creek near County Road 97 from Nighthawk to the Longwater Gulch. The Custer Cabin, a mining confluence. Graveled County Road 75 parallels cabin on Metberry Gulch, was destroyed in the the east side of the South Platte for 1 mile south Hayman Fire, June 2002. of Deckers. Graveled county roads, coming in from the east, intersect with the roads along the South Platte at Nighthawk (County Road 40) and Oxyoke (County Road 67). There are

2-14 ˜ Chapter 2 numerous roads throughout the small For a mile downstream from the Swayback communities. The Colorado Trail (NFST 1776) Ranch, the river crosses National Forest System crosses the corridor near the confluence of the lands, which contain the Bridge Crossing Picnic South Platte and the North Fork. Power and Ground and the Platte River Campground. telephone lines access nearly all the houses in this study segment. The river runs a mile through the community of Oxyoke, which has more than 20 houses, a The Wigwam Club, a private fishing club, owns highway bridge over the South Platte, and a the upper end of this 19.5-mile segment. This small pond on Gunbarrel Creek. Then it passes mile-long area contains a lodge, 10-15 cabins through a quarter mile of National Forest and other structures, several fish ponds, two System land and runs for a half-mile across footbridges, four road bridges, more than several small tracts of private land with a few 40 check dams, a road, and other houses. For the next several miles the river improvements. passes through a part of the National Forest that includes the following developed recreation From the Wigwam Club to Deckers, the river sites: Ouzel Camping Area, Scraggy View crosses National Forest System lands and passes Picnic Ground, Willow Bend Picnic Ground, the Lone Rock Campground. In Deckers, there and Osprey Camping Area. From Nighthawk are two highway bridges across the South Platte to the confluence with the North Fork, the river and about 20 structures leased from Denver traverses several miles of lands owned by Water including cabins, a store, fishing shop, Denver Water and private individuals that and restaurant (which is currently closed). contain the communities of Nighthawk and Downstream from Deckers are the small Twin Cedars with over 40 structures, mostly communities of Trumbull, Oxyoke, Nighthawk, houses or summer homes. Twin Cedars, and South Platte. About two- thirds of the properties in these areas are owned The river then flows for several more miles by Denver Water, which leases out the buildings through the National Forest (crossing a small for year-round residences, summer homes, and undeveloped private tract) and then reaches the other recreational use. The remaining third of community of South Platte at the North Fork the properties is privately owned residences. All confluence. South Platte includes about these areas, including Deckers, are within the 10 houses and the historic South Platte Hotel right-of-way granted by the Department of the (listed on the National Register of Historic Places Interior in 1931 to Denver Water for a dam and [National Register]). There is also a highway reservoir. bridge across the South Platte and a stream gaging station. A bridge owned by Denver Trumbull, which straddles the South Platte for Water, which crossed the North Fork behind half a mile, contains more than 300 lots with the hotel, was washed out in the Buffalo Creek more than 50 structures, mostly houses. Other Flood in 1996. Below the confluence, the river developments include a volunteer fire enters the National Forest for a mile to the department and a highway bridge over the backwaters of Strontia Springs Reservoir. South Platte. Ownership is split between Denver Water maintains a gated road along this Denver Water and private individuals, but segment, which receives more use as a trail for Jefferson County also owns a few lots in the anglers, and a footbridge across the South Platte community. For 1½ miles downstream from near the backwaters of Strontia Springs Trumbull, Denver Water or private individuals Reservoir. own most of the river corridor. In this section, there are more than 20 structures, mostly houses, a highway bridge over the South Platte, and the Swayback Ranch, a private fishing club.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-15

North Fork – Segment H variety of storage buildings. Along the 2-mile river stretch at Estabrook are three private There is much evidence of past human activity bridges across the North Fork, a private bridge throughout the 22.9-mile North Fork study across Craig Creek, short roads to the houses, corridor. Power and telephone lines access and a small pond along Craig Creek. nearly all the houses in this study segment. An abandoned railroad grade runs the length of the About a quarter mile downstream from North Fork study segment and is marked by Estabrook, the river enters National Forest numerous rock walls, bridge abutments, riprap, System lands for 4.5 miles. This area is rugged, blast areas, through cuts, and some undeveloped, and inaccessible by roads except channelization. Because of fluctuations in flows in several places across private land. There are due to the Roberts Tunnel, Denver Water has a few developments except for (1) several houses very active cooperative program with on private lands about a quarter mile from the landowners to stabilize banks, construct check river and (2) a diversion dam, footbridge, dams, add riprap, and protect the resources abandoned mine, five houses, and a private river along the North Fork study corridor. There has bridge in a small private inholding at Crossons. been extensive channelization upstream from Just below Crossons, the river leaves the the study corridor and some channelization in National Forest. The area remains inaccessible the study corridor upstream from Pine. The and undeveloped until Cliffdale, except for trend in the study corridor, however, is away some channel relocation structures downstream from channel work and more toward easement from Crossons. At Cliffdale, there are several acquisition to protect riparian areas. houses on the river, several more under construction, and three houses about a quarter The upper portion of the North Fork study mile back from the river. A private dirt road corridor from the upstream end of the Berger parallels the north side of the river for 2 miles property, near Insmont, to Buffalo Creek is downstream to Pine, and several other private characterized as an open 500- to 1,500-foot- roads connecting with it through several wide river valley with meadows and grasslands drainages in the area. Just upstream from Pine, along a meandering stream. Side slopes are Jefferson County recently constructed the Pine moderate, and valley rims average 600 feet. The Valley Ranch Open Space Park. There are river loses some of this character between 545 acres of the park in the study corridor. The Estabrook and the Pine Valley Ranch, where park includes paved access, parking areas, a the flat valley and the meanders disappear, the lodge, amphitheater, caretaker’s house, tennis side slopes become steeper and rockier, and the courts, covered picnic areas, fire station, valley becomes V-shaped between its 800-foot- buildings, foot trails, a road bridge, and several high rims. Downstream from the outskirts of footbridges across the river. The area also Buffalo Creek, the river speeds up and narrows. contains several diversion dams, a large pond, The valley deepens as the river cuts through a and two abandoned gravel quarries. From the mountainous area and the channel is filled with Pine Valley Ranch to Pine, the river flows large boulders. through private lands used for grazing and The North Fork study corridor starts within the horse pastures. The area includes a diversion Pike National Forest on private land owned by dam and Crystal Lake, several dirt roads, a river the Berger Land Company. The area is used for bridge, a bed and breakfast inn, corrals, and grazing and is undeveloped except for a power several ranch houses, barns, and other buildings. line, several old structures, and a small private Near Pine, the paved access route to the Pine bridge. Near Estabrook, the stream is paralleled Valley Ranch Park and, eventually, paved State for a mile by graveled County Road 68, which Highway 126 parallel the river. The provides access to at least 10 houses with a unincorporated town of Pine then stretches

2-16 ˜ Chapter 2 along the river for more than a mile and recreation. Included in the lower portion are includes houses, a school, a fire department, 29 acres of undeveloped land owned by community buildings, churches, and several Jefferson County and managed primarily to retail businesses—more than 200 buildings in protect a peregrine nesting site and secondarily all. River developments include a diversion for dispersed recreation. dam, several river bridges, and ponds from channel relocation. Between Buffalo Creek and the confluence, several small settlements are scattered on the From Pine, the river flows through several hillsides on both sides of the river. These ranches for more than 2 miles and is paralleled include Riverview, Ferndale, Argyle, Foxton, by State Highway 126 to the outskirts of Dome Rock, and Longview. The first and unincorporated Buffalo Creek. The area largest is Riverview with about 30 structures, contains irrigated and non-irrigated pastures and mostly residences. Foxton, Argyle, Dome is used for hay, horse pastures, and cattle Rock, and Longview are mostly on lands owned grazing. Developments in this section include by Denver Water and leased back to the several ranch houses with numerous barns and residents. A few residents, however, still outbuildings, corrals, fences, two river bridges, maintain title. several diversion dams, a small pond, and some channel relocation. Other developments include six private road bridges crossing the river, a statue to a heroic A portion of the Buffalo Creek community is in railroad brakeman, and a stream-monitoring the study corridor and includes a church; several gage near the confluence. The Buffalo Creek houses; a combination store, gas station, and flood of June 1996 destroyed all the bridges post office; and several short roads connecting below Buffalo Creek and caused other property Jefferson County Road 96 with State damage. Most of the property damage has been Highway 126. Near the store is a bridge repaired, and some bridges are being rebuilt. crossing on State Highway 126 and a private road bridge across the North Fork. On the outskirts of the community of Buffalo 2.8 LAND USE CONTROLS Creek, the North Fork enters a steep canyon where it remains until its confluence with the A wide variety of local, State, and Federal South Platte River. After leaving Buffalo Creek, programs have either a direct or indirect effect the river crosses and recrosses the National upon land uses within the corridor. The most Forest boundary until it reaches Douglas significant programs, as well as those that have County Road 97 at the confluence with the generated discussion during the scoping mainstem of the South Platte River. process, are discussed in this section. Throughout this section, graveled County Road 96 parallels the river and is only a foot or COUNTY ZONING two above the river in places. Recently paved Jefferson County Road 97 and graveled Last All the private land in the study corridors lies Chance Creek Road intersect County Road 96 within Douglas, Jefferson, and Park Counties in near Foxton and climb out of the corridor up Colorado. All three counties have Last Chance Creek and Kennedy Gulch, comprehensive land management plans that respectively. Most of the upper portion of this apply to all lands within the counties. segment is privately owned and used for rural residences, while the lower section is owned mostly by Denver Water and managed for water delivery, resource protection, and dispersed

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-17

Park County Zoning Douglas County Zoning The private lands in the study river corridors of The private lands within Douglas County are Park County are zoned Residential, zoned Agricultural One, which is similar to Park Residential/Agriculture, Agricultural, Mountain County’s Agricultural zoning. However, the Residential, and Commercial. density should not exceed one principal residence per 35 acres. Residential zoning permits single-family dwellings, mobile homes, and essential services. Conditional uses include churches, schools, Jefferson County Zoning daycare centers, duplexes, fire stations, guest The private lands within Jefferson County are houses, home-based businesses, kennels, primarily Agricultural One or Two and noncommercial parks, and water tanks. Mountain Residential Two, except for lands Minimum lot sizes are generally between 3 and close to the communities, which are Mountain 5 acres, depending on where they are located. Residential Three, Commercial One, or Existing platted lots are exempt from lot size Restricted Commercial. requirements and may be smaller. The Agricultural One and Agricultural Two Residential/Agriculture zoning permits single- zoning categories are both intended to provide family buildings and accessory buildings, mobile limited farming, ranching, and other agricultural homes, and essential services. It also includes uses while protecting the surrounding land from conditional uses as listed in Residential and harmful effects. General farming, single-family Agriculture zones. The minimum lot area is dwellings, greenhouses, forestry farming, and 20 contiguous acres per tract. public parks are allowed. Conditional uses include water supply reservoirs and irrigation Agricultural zoning permits single-family canals, sewage treatment plants, transmission dwellings, accessory buildings, and on-site towers, oil and gas drilling, churches, schools, employee housing. Conditional uses include foster homes, day care centers, camps, picnic dude or guest ranches, church camps or retreat grounds, lodges, and other similar facilities. centers, public and private recreation centers, Minimum lot size is 5 acres in an Agricultural and private airstrips if Federal Aviation One zone and 10 acres in an Agricultural Two Administration sanctioned. Minimum lot area is zone. 160 contiguous acres. The Mountain Residential Two zoning is Commercial zoning permits all types of intended to provide for low-density residential commercial enterprises with minimum lot size development and allows both single-family and conditional, based on type of enterprise and two-family dwellings. Certain agricultural uses, business use. All zoning requires a minimum which are compatible with this residential setback of 50–100 feet from all waterways. development, are included. Single and two- In addition to the specific zoning regulations, family dwellings, group homes for as many as Park County has extensive regulations to eight people, and public parks are allowed. protect water and adjacent lands. Conditional uses include water supply reservoirs Channelization of streams, which destroys and irrigation canals, churches, libraries, foster aquatic habitat, is prohibited. Land uses must homes, and day care centers. Minimum lot sizes fit the channel. Revegetation will occur along are 17,400 square feet for a single-family riparian areas as quickly as possible. Land uses dwelling and 10,000 square feet per family unit. will not increase stream sedimentation and The Mountain Residential Three zoning is suspension loads. intended to provide for medium density residential development and provides both

2-18 ˜ Chapter 2 single-family and two-family dwellings. Single architectural history, architecture, archeology, and two-family dwellings, group homes for as and/or other disciplines. The Governor many as eight people, and public parks are appoints the members. allowed. Conditional uses include water supply reservoirs and irrigation canals, churches, The committee is charged with reviewing libraries, foster homes, and day care centers. nominations to the National Register within the Minimum lot sizes are 6,250 square feet for a State and recommending approved nominations single-family dwelling and 4,000 square feet per to the State Historic Preservation Office family unit (or up to 9,000 square feet for two pursuant to the National Historic Preservation units). Act of 1966. The committee also reviews statewide plans for historic preservation. Commercial zoning permits all types of commercial enterprises with minimum lot size The committee has identified several sites along conditional, based on type of enterprise and the North Fork study corridor that are listed or business use (1 to 30 acres) unless the existing nominated for the National Register. property ownership and adjacent property in the same ownership totaled less than 1 acre as of COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION July, 27, 1978. BOARD

Jefferson County Open Space A division of the Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation The Jefferson County Open Space Program’s Board administers State laws and policies mission is to provide a living resource of open relating to the diversion and appropriation of space lands and waters throughout Jefferson surface and ground water, protects State water County for the physical, psychological, compacts and entitlements, and, where recreational, and social enjoyment of present necessary, determines and sets minimum and future generations. This is accomplished instream flows. through preserving and interpreting land that has scenic, natural, historical, educational, and COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE recreational value. In addition to protecting, conserving, enhancing, and restoring the natural This division of the Department of Natural resources, unique landforms, and historic areas Resources is responsible for preserving, that define Jefferson County, the Open Space protecting, and managing all wildlife and fish in Program also provides recreational access and the State of Colorado. It maintains optimum opportunities consistent with the natural and numbers of indigenous fish and wildlife and historic values of the property. Within the ensures that no species are threatened with North Fork study corridor, the program owns extinction. It is responsible for developing and and manages 545 acres that are part of the 884- administering State fish and wildlife regulations acre Pine Valley Ranch open-space park, plus an and monitoring both angling effort and harvest, additional 29 acres recently transferred to the as well as hunter effort and harvest. The county from the BLM. Colorado Wildlife Commission also has the authority to designate Gold Medal and Wild ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HISTORIC trout fisheries in the State. It is noted in the eligibility determination (Appendix D) for PRESERVATION Segments D through H which segments under The Colorado Advisory Committee on Historic study have been conferred a designation for Preservation consists of members recognized Gold Medal trout fisheries. professionally in the fields of history,

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-19

COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE concessionaire under a special-use permit manages recreation facilities and parking sites in The mission of the State Forest Service is to the canyon. This ensures the protection of the achieve stewardship of Colorado’s environment quality recreation experience and resources by through forestry outreach and service. The providing intensive management of visitor use agency provides assistance to private and behavior in the area. landowners and administers the State laws pertaining to forestry and wildfire prevention The Forest Service is not anticipating and suppression. implementing this plan in its entirety. The Service lacks the resources to design and construct a large facility or pave and close the DENVER BOARD OF WATER upper 3 miles of the road. A total maximum COMMISSIONERS daily load (TMDL) study was completed in the spring of 2002 (Colorado Department of Public The Denver Board of Water Commissioners is Health and Environment [CDPHE], 2002b). chartered by the city and county of Denver to Recommendations from this study include have complete charge and control of the improving road maintenance practices and waterworks system and plants for supplying the identifying opportunities within developed city and county with water. The board has the recreational sites to reduce sediment in the power to purchase, condemn, lease, or canyon. The Forest Service intends to otherwise acquire land and water rights and to rehabilitate existing facilities to reduce erosion construct, maintain, and operate water and prevent new sources of sediment. treatment plants and distribution systems for Denver Water. Denver Water, which supplies water to about half of the Denver metropolitan ELEVENMILE CANYON area, owns 3,352 acres in the study corridors RECREATION AREA and has many water rights in the study corridors. It has been involved in strong In addition to the ecosystem management individual efforts on its lands and in cooperative project discussed above, special regulations efforts on other lands to improve recreation established in 1984 help protect in this area. opportunities and protect natural resources in These rules prohibit the discharge of firearms the study corridors. and also prohibit camping and campfires outside of developed campgrounds.

ELEVENMILE CANYON ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROJECT FRONT RANGE MOUNTAIN BACKDROP PROJECT This management plan, approved by the Forest Service in May 1995, provides additional This is a joint cooperative project involving direction to protect the unique recreational, landowners along the Front Range as well as fisheries, and other values in the Elevenmile Boulder, Douglas, Jefferson, El Paso, and Canyon area (Segment A). The plan for this Larimer Counties, to help encourage the area calls for converting most of the preservation of the mountain backdrop campgrounds to day use facilities and extending from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs. constructing a single large campground on the The study will be used to update the open-space canyon rim to the south. It also recommends components of the counties’ master plans. It closing the upper 3 miles of the road below will define “viewsheds” and visual aspects of Elevenmile Dam to motor vehicles and paving the mountains and will help the counties the remaining roads to reduce sediment and determine where development or other land protect fisheries. Under the plan, a uses are appropriate. The counties are also

2-20 ˜ Chapter 2 exploring future cooperative efforts to assist in U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS preserving key open space and historic lands. These include conservation easements, limited Any encroachment or channeling activities in a development rights, concentrating development natural stream or wetland as defined by the in some areas while permanently restricting it in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are subject to others, long-term leases to keep property in the requirements of section 404 of the Federal agricultural use, land trades and exchanges, Clean Water Act. A permit must be obtained reclamation of disturbed lands, and fee simple from the USACE before any such activities can purchases from willing sellers. This project may occur within the streams. help to preserve the North Fork and South Platte study corridors in Douglas and Jefferson U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Counties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) INTERIM MANAGEMENT PLAN administers the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended) (ESA) for plants, animals, FOR THE SOUTH PLATTE and non-anadromous fish within the United In 1993, an Interim Management Plan was States. Government agencies and private instituted to improve public safety, protect the landowners may find their range of recreation experience, and protect and repair management strategies limited by the ESA when impacted riparian and wetland areas along the it is determined that a threatened or endangered South Platte from Deckers to the confluence species, or its critical habitat, may be affected by and along the North Fork from Buffalo Creek a proposed management action. to the confluence. The plan and subsequent All Federal projects that may affect threatened orders for the area eliminated overnight or endangered species, or their habitat, must be camping except in designated camping areas, approved by the USFWS in accordance with the prohibited parking except in designated sites, ESA. These approvals and/or modification prohibited overnight use except in developed recommendations provide additional direct facilities, allowed fires only in designated protection to these species in the study camping area fire rings, and closed the “Chutes” corridors. area to the public. Dispersed camping was banned within one-quarter mile of either side of The entire North Fork and the South Platte the rivers. There are now 72 parking areas that study corridors include populations of bald will accommodate approximately 1,600 people eagles, which are listed as threatened under the at one time, and camping is allowed only in ESA. In addition, Segment H of the North designated sites. Fork and the South Platte downstream from Corral Creek contain up to 20 percent of the Under the plan, some recreation sites were population and critical habitat for the Pawnee rehabilitated, damaged riparian areas were montane skipper butterfly, listed as threatened restored, trees, grass, and shrubs were re- under the ESA. The butterfly’s habitat, which established, and vehicle barriers were installed. extends up the dry hillsides above the study The plan is implemented through a major corridor, contains the world’s sole population of cooperative effort between the Forest Service, this species. Also, based on the known BLM, Denver Water, the Colorado Division of elevation limits of the Preble’s meadow jumping Wildlife (CDOW), and the Douglas and mouse, Segments C, D, E, and H contain Jefferson County Sheriff’s Departments and has potential habitat for this threatened species. greatly improved the recreation experience and natural resources in the area.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-21

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL the season, available forage, utilization levels, PROTECTION AGENCY and resource objectives. Allotments along the South Platte River corridor include the EPA is responsible for administering the Thirtynine Mile Mountain North, Wagon Nation’s laws on air quality, water quality, solid Tongue, Blue Mountain, Rocky, Badger, Crystal, and hazardous wastes, pesticides, toxic Lower West Creek, Wigwam, and Platte River. substances, and cleanup of hazardous wastes Allotments along the North Fork include Spring under the Superfund. Its functions include Creek, Buffalo, and Craig Meadows. All of setting and enforcing environmental standards; these are or have been stocked with cattle. The conducting research on the causes, effects, and grazing use that does occur within these control of environmental problems; and allotments is described below. assisting the States and local governments. EPA reviewed the USACE’s Two Forks Reservoir ALLOTMENTS ALONG THE SOUTH Environmental Impact Statement and denied the PLATTE RIVER CORRIDOR permit for the Two Forks Dam and Reservoir under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act Thirtynine Mile Mountain North (EPA, 1990). EPA would continue to review any new dam proposals in the area under the The northern edge of the Reservoir unit of this Clean Water Act. allotment borders the South Platte River just below the spillway at Elevenmile Reservoir. The terrain is too steep to allow access to the river by the cattle on this allotment. The river 2.9 GRAZING corridor is unaffected by grazing from domestic livestock along this 1-mile stretch of river. Most of the study area supports herbaceous or shrubby vegetation that provides forage and Wagon Tongue habitat for wildlife. Vegetative types in the study river corridors vary from riparian meadow The northern boundaries of the Rimrock and bottoms to upland grass and shrub types with Sledgehammer units border the South Platte conifer overstories. River from about a mile below the spillway to Rankin Gulch. Steep topography prevents Domestic livestock grazing is a common use on access to the river for most of the 4 miles on the private lands in the upper portions of the this stretch. Drift fences have been installed to North Fork study corridor and on the private prevent access to the river along this corridor. lands downstream from Lake George. There The Elevenmile Canyon Recreation Area are also some small private horse pastures along occupies the entire stretch of river described as the lower North Fork and lower South Platte. the boundaries for the units in the Thirtynine Some grazing also occurs on portions of the Mile and Wagon Tongue allotments. The river National Forest System lands within the is not a source for water or forage on these corridors and is controlled by a permit system allotments. Cattle use in this area is incidental. administered by the Forest Service. The study corridors serve as the boundary between several The Blue Mountain unit in this allotment was allotments, and grazing within them is light. added to the Wagon Tongue allotment in the This grazing is allowed under controlled 1960s. Blue Mountain borders the South Platte management conditions that will maintain or River from Rankin Gulch to Lake George. This improve the range resource and riparian health. unit has been vacant since the late 1960s, and Current management includes the use of there are no plans to restock it. allotments with individual pastures where animals are rotated through areas according to

2-22 ˜ Chapter 2 Rocky for 50 head of cattle. This proved to be unsuccessful due to the poor condition of This allotment has five units that border the existing fences and the inability of the permittee South Platte River on its southern boundary to keep the cattle within the bounds of the from the spillway at Elevenmile to Lake allotment. This allotment borders George. The allotment has been vacant since approximately 9 miles of the South Platte River, 1947. There are no plans to restock it. much of which is too rugged and unsuitable for grazing. This allotment is expected to remain Badger vacant and may be closed. To the north of the Rocky allotment is the Badger allotment. The Tappan Gulch, Platte Lower West Creek Springs, and Matukat units of this allotment all North of the Crystal allotment is the Lower border the South Platte River on the west from West Creek allotment. The west side of this Happy Meadows Campground to about a mile allotment borders the South Platte from past the confluence of Tarryall Creek and the Metberry Gulch to about a quarter-mile south South Platte. All of these units are active. The of Cheesman Reservoir. Historical problems Tappan Gulch and Platte Springs units are from overgrazing, logging, and fire resulted in under permit for 25 head of cattle from June 11 exclusion from grazing in 1950. In order to to October 31. Most of the South Platte River protect the watershed and allow re- is inaccessible to the cattle due to steep establishment of vegetation, this allotment has topography. Grazing is incidental. Part of the remained vacant. There are no plans to restock South Platte within the Tappan unit flows it. through a piece of private property known as the Sportsman’s Paradise. Property owners are allowed to have horses on their lots, but there is Wigwam no community horse pasture, and no grazing On the west side of the South Platte, north of occurs along the river itself. the Badger allotment, is the Wigwam allotment. The Matukat unit was historically used as a This allotment is divided into three units. The separate unit and was permitted for 35 head southernmost, the Wildcat unit, borders the season long. In 1989, the permittee elected to South Platte for a little over a mile. There are discontinue use of this unit due to conflict with 85 head of cattle permitted on this allotment public use. The unit remained vacant until from June 1 to September 30. The cattle are 1996, when it was temporarily used with the rotated between the three units during the Wigwam allotment to the north. The steepness grazing season. They are in the Wildcat unit a of the terrain in this unit discourages cattle from little over a month. The cattle have good forage accessing the river. Use is light along the river along the river as well as in old burns and clear and occurs from cattle moving upstream from cuts on a bench above the river. Grazing use is the Wigwam allotment. This unit will probably light in all of these areas. Recreational use, remain active in the future. particularly by off-road vehicles, is high along this stretch of the river. This prevents the cattle from concentrating in one place for any length Crystal of time. The cattle can also graze in Wildcat On the east side of the South Platte directly Creek and Corral Creek, which are tributaries to across from the Badger allotment is the Crystal the South Platte. At Wildcat Creek, the allotment. This allotment has been vacant since allotment boundary swings to the east and away 1947, with the exception of 1989 when the from the river. The river is not accessible to allotment was stocked with a temporary permit cattle from the northern and middle units.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-23

ALLOTMENTS ALONG THE cattle actively use the South Platte River. There NORTH FORK OF THE are no plans to increase the number of cattle on SOUTH PLATTE RIVER CORRIDOR this or any allotment along the river corridor.

Spring Creek The effects of management practices in the past and the increasing pressure over the last The Spring Creek allotment was located at the 50 years from urban growth and recreational confluence of the North Fork with the South use have made most of the vacant allotments Platte River. Its boundary roughly followed the impractical and uneconomical to use. Many of North Fork to Riverview. Most of the the historic ranches have been subdivided into ownership along the North Fork is private. smaller tracts and the water rights sold to meet There is very little information on the history of the needs for growth along the Front Range. this allotment. The allotment was excluded The allotments were usually adjacent to these from grazing sometime prior to 1942, ranches. It is doubtful that any of the vacant apparently because of severe erosion associated allotments will ever be restocked. with grazing. The allotment has remained vacant since that time. 2.10 FOREST ECOLOGY Buffalo Creek Upriver from the Spring Creek allotment is the VEGETATION Buffalo Creek allotment, which includes about 1½ miles of the North Fork study corridor. It Late in the 1800s, railroads provided access to is all private property. The allotment was active the timber within the North Fork, lower South until 1994, when the permit was waived back to Platte (upstream to Nighthawk), and Elevenmile the Forest Service. The permit was for 90 head Canyon areas of the South Platte. Primitive of cattle. There are no plans to restock this roads provided access into most of the other allotment. areas. Historic surface fires and mixed severity fires maintained the forests in relatively open conditions. Dr. Merrill Kaufman (2000), Craig Meadows U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research The vacant Craig Meadows allotment was Station, estimates that more than 90 percent of combined with the Buffalo Creek allotment the landscape around Cheesman Reservoir had under one management plan. The North Fork crown closure of 30 percent or less. Large is contained within the allotment to a point park-like ponderosa pine stands mixed with about a mile downriver from Bailey. None of Douglas fir and some minor amounts of the river is accessible by livestock as the terrain Colorado blue spruce covered much of the is too steep. The remainder of the corridor is study area in the late 1800s and were harvested located on private property. There are no plans to provide timber for the railroad and lumber to restock this allotment. for the construction of Denver and other local communities. Large uncontrolled fires followed early timber operations. These areas SUMMARY regenerated to the dense forest conditions seen Currently there are four active allotments along today as a result of these past logging practices, the South Platte River corridor and no active grazing, fire suppression, and Civilian allotments along the North Fork corridor. No Conservation Corps plantings during the 1930s. significant impacts from grazing have occurred Elevations range from 6029 to 9240 feet within on the river from these allotments. The the South Platte study corridor and from 6100 Wigwam allotment is the only allotment where

2-24 ˜ Chapter 2 to 8400 feet within the North Fork study area. There are also no records of plants within corridor. Ponderosa pine stands still cover the study area that are on the Forest Service’s much of the study area. Today’s forests are list of sensitive species. The corridor does denser than those of 200 years ago, and they contain potential habitat for one federally listed have fewer old growth stands, fewer openings, threatened species—the Ute ladies’ tresses and more Douglas fir. South-facing slopes at orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis). lower elevations are brushy with Gambel oak, mountain mahogany, and scattered Rocky Noxious Weeds Mountain juniper and ponderosa pine. North- facing slopes contain mixed stands of Douglas Noxious weeds are prevalent along the river fir and ponderosa pine. All vegetation age corridor. To date, noxious weed occurrences classes are present, with the majority of stands have been mapped, and treatments on National 80 to 130 years old. Ground cover is relatively Forest system lands have been conducted since sparse. Riparian areas are characterized by 1999. Denver Water is also actively working to riparian grasses, sedges, woods rose, willows, control weeds on their lands. Open houses dogwood, and alder, interspersed with a few have been held in the general vicinity of scattered narrowleaf and plains cottonwoods. Deckers for 2 years to educate local private Mountain grasslands typically occupy landowners about noxious weeds and weed untimbered areas adjacent to mountain shrub, management. The threat of continued spread ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir types. They increased significantly as a result of the Hayman are scattered throughout the study area on Fire. Efforts to treat and prevent further relatively flat terrain between about 6500 and expansion are being addressed as part of the 9000 feet in elevation. Stands of quaking aspen Hayman restoration program. are present in Elevenmile Canyon. A small portion of the study corridor is used for TIMBER agriculture (about 2,000 acres). Agricultural Logging was important in the entire study area lands consist primarily of riparian and mountain from 1860 to 1900. Cutting rates probably grasslands situated on private lands along the peaked shortly after 1880 to support mills river. These areas are used mainly for livestock supplying lumber for Denver and various grazing and a minor amount of hay production. mining towns. The Denver, South Park and Most of the agricultural lands lie in the upper Pacific Railroad (DSP&P) was constructed portions of the North Fork study corridor along the North Fork from Denver to Leadville above Buffalo Creek and in the area between by 1880 and provided rail access to wagon road Lake George and the northern boundary of systems, which covered the area. In about private lands near Tappan Gulch. There are 1896, the Colorado Midland Railroad was also nonagricultural grasslands along the South completed from Denver to Buena Vista and Platte study corridor between Deckers and the Leadville through Elevenmile Canyon. Much of confluence with the North Fork. the saw timber, readily accessible to the Of special importance in the study corridors is railroads, was removed by the turn of the the prairie gayfeather plant (Liatris punctata), century. Much of the area is shown as “cut which is the primary food source of the over and burned” on early Forest Service timber threatened Pawnee montane skipper butterfly. inventories. This butterfly is endemic to the study corridors Nearly all the National Forest System lands in and to adjacent areas on the North Fork and the study area are forested and part of the South Platte downstream from Tarryall Creek. suitable timber base for the Pike and San Isabel There are no records of federally listed National Forests. In the past 50 years, there threatened or endangered plants in the study have been no commercial timber sales on

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-25

National Forest System lands in the corridors. ECOLOGY Timber harvest has been limited to the cutting of dead and down timber for firewood. The Wildfires and Native American burns were the Upper South Platte Watershed and Protection predominant shapers of vegetation types prior Project has identified 1,434 acres for treatment to European settlement in the middle of the within the study area. 19th century. Fire exclusion since the 1940s has led to the loss of openings and increased tree The study area is estimated to contain density in ponderosa pine and Douglas fir 4,895 acres of suitable timber on National stands. This resulted in little understory Forest System lands. “Suitable” is defined as development in the grass and shrub harvestable timber on forest lands in Forest components, poor tree vigor due to Plan management areas, which include overstocking, and a shift in fire intervals from scheduled timber harvest on a regular frequent cool fires to infrequent, high intensity, sustainable basis. These suitable acres currently stand-replacement fires. This resulted in a produce an average of 11.6 cubic feet of wood decline in forest health, including increased per acre annually or 56,770 cubic feet of wood insect infestations, disease, and parasitism by annually for the study corridors. dwarf mistletoe. Douglas fir mortality has Minimal harvest on private lands in the 1900s become very noticeable in the past decade with consisted of thinnings and partial cuts. losses from spruce budworm, tussock moth, Harvesting decreased in the late 1900s due to and bark beetles. Ponderosa pine bark beetle increased recreational use and residential mortality was heavy in parts of the study area in development. Denver Water, Colorado State the 1960s and 1970s but has been low since Forest Service, and the U.S. Forest Service have then. Adjacent areas are experiencing an begun restoration timber management following increase in mountain pine beetle mortality. the 1996 Buffalo Creek and 2000 Hi Meadow These conditions have increased the potential Fires, each of which burned more than for large, intense fires. 10,000 acres. Approximately 500 acres of An example of the problem created by fire Denver Water lands have been commercially exclusion is the Buffalo Creek Fire in May 1996. thinned since 2000. Driven by strong winds, the fire burned On the 29 acres of the North Fork study 11,875 acres in the Buffalo Creek area. Fire corridor near Cathedral Spires that had been intensity levels were extreme, killing all forest managed by the BLM until 2001, timber harvest vegetation on more than 7,000 acres and and other management activities were governed destroying several homes. In the river corridor, by BLM’s Northeast Resource Area Manage- about 800 acres were affected; but tree mortality ment Plan. The plan identified the corridor as was light. Subsequent flooding devastated the part of the Evergreen Management Unit. riparian vegetation along Spring Creek and Within this unit, the area is composed of forest Buffalo Creek. and rock outcrops. Under BLM management, In June 2000, the Hi Meadows Fire burned the entire area was unavailable for commercial another 11,000 acres in the North Fork of the timber harvest, and management was restricted South Platte River drainage. Fire intensity was to maintain recreation, scenic, wildlife, and less severe than the Buffalo Creek Fire; but watershed values. This land was transferred to more than 5,000 acres of forest vegetation was Jefferson County ownership in 2001. The killed, and 51 homes were destroyed. Tree county will continue to manage the area for the mortality in the study area was also light. same values. Sediment from the Hi Meadow Fire has created scouring in some tributary channels but has had little effect on the riparian environment.

2-26 ˜ Chapter 2 represent different flow rates or flood 2.11 SOILS intensities. Due to their proximity to the drainages, these soils support a much higher GENERAL SOIL TYPES production and diversity of vegetation. The soils and the associated vegetation of the valley The soils of the study area have developed bottoms are critical for maintaining the primarily from materials derived from the Pikes equilibrium within the watershed. Soils and Peak Batholith. The granites from the batholith associated vegetation as they provide protection include medium- and coarse-grained and storage for water and nutrients and act as a hornblende-biotite deposits throughout most of buffer to erosional events. the study area and fine-grained quartz monzonite and granodiorite in the northern portion of the study area. Within the river USE AND MANAGEMENT corridors, the soils have developed in colluvial The soils derived from the Pikes Peak Batholith deposits on mountain sides and fluvial deposits are very erosive. The erosional processes in intermittent and perennial drainage bottoms. include unraveling and rolling of particles Slopes range from 15 to 80 percent along the downslope. Sheet, rill, and gully erosion are mountain slopes and 0 to 10 percent in the common following any surface disturbance in valley bottoms. In general, the soils are this area. Due to the structure of the bedrock, moderately acidic, have low cation exchange the soils are not susceptible to mass wasting or capacity and low organic matter content, and land slides. South- and west-facing aspects are are shallow to bedrock. These soils are more susceptible to erosion, owing to the low commonly referred to as “decomposed granite.” amounts of organic matter in the soil surface Two dominant soils occur along the river and higher amounts of rock outcrop and bare corridors. These are the Sphinx and Legault. soil. Slopes greater than 35 percent occur along The Sphinx soils are shallow and somewhat the river corridors. The erosion potential on excessively drained. They formed in material these slopes is rated as severe. weathered from Pikes Peak granite on mountain Recreational uses in the study area are sides. The surface layer is gravelly to coarse increasing and are expected to increase further sandy loam. It has high permeability and little in the future. Road and trail systems in the area available water capacity; so runoff is moderate are currently the most likely sources of erosional to rapid, and the hazard of water erosion is soil losses and downstream sediment impacts. moderate to severe depending on slope. The Proper location of road and trail systems is Sphinx soil supports ponderosa pine and required to minimize soil losses and maintain Douglas fir communities. The Legault soil is watershed health. Access points and travel dark grayish brown, very gravelly coarse sandy corridors should be located along contours and loam that has also formed from weathered Pikes outside of drainage channels. The road and trail Peak granites. It is found on north-facing systems above the river corridor impact the slopes and at higher elevations on the mountain health and water quality of the South Platte sides. Its permeability is moderately high, and River and must be taken into consideration. its available water capacity is very low. Runoff Downstream impacts of sedimentation can be is rapid, and the hazard of water erosion is seen in several areas. The origin of the moderate to severe depending on slope. The sediment is generally higher in the watershed dominant vegetation consists of Douglas fir. and related to soil disturbance through access or The valley bottoms contain fluvial deposits. recreational uses. The potential for soil losses These deposits represent past flooding events and degradation of the river corridor is very and are commonly stratified by sizes that high, given the inherent erosiveness and low productivity of the soils.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-27

In May 1996, a human-caused wildfire burned Wildcat Canyon (Segment C) and around about 11,875 acres in the Buffalo Creek area, Cheesman Reservoir. Light summer rains including about 800 acres within the study lessened the potential impact of sedimentation, corridors near the confluence of the North Fork but even small rain events increased sediment with the South Platte River. The burn was quite loads in tributaries as well as the mainstem. The light within the study corridors and resulted in risk of increased sedimentation may be even little tree mortality. The case was quite different higher a year after the fire. however, outside the study corridors, where tree mortality was 100-percent mortality on more The area of the South Platte below the Buffalo than 7,000 acres. On July 12, 1996, a major Creek, Hi Meadow and Hayman Fires will storm caused serious flooding in Buffalo Creek, continue to receive large amounts of sediment which continued downstream along the North through the mainstem and the North Fork for Fork to Strontia Springs Reservoir and from many years. Even though the lands have healed Spring Creek down the South Platte to Strontia from the Buffalo Creek and Hi Meadow fires, Springs Reservoir. A 10- to 20-foot wall of the soil losses from the Hayman Fire could water and mud washed down these streams, impact the river corridors for several decades, causing two fatalities and destroying several and the potential for a similar fire and trailer houses, the fire station, the town water subsequent erosion to occur in the South Platte system, a community building, numerous watershed is high. automobiles, seven private bridges crossing the North Fork, and portions of County Road 96 along the North Fork. In addition, the flooding 2.12 HYDROLOGY AND WATER caused serious sheet erosion on the burned areas and deposited tons of sediment and debris RESOURCES into Strontia Springs Reservoir and along the study corridor below Buffalo Creek. Forest WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS Service and local citizen and government rehabilitation efforts include seeding, The area of the South Platte River basin construction of sediment check dams to limit considered in this analysis consists of a roughly erosion, and efforts to repair roads or replace ½-mile-wide corridor (spreading out one- bridges. It is unclear however, if all the private quarter mile from the ordinary high-water mark bridges will be rebuilt. on each side of the river) that extends along the South Platte River from the high-water line of In June 2000, the Hi Meadow Wildfire burned Strontia Springs Reservoir upstream to 10,944 acres on public and private lands along Elevenmile Reservoir and along the North Fork the North Fork of the South Platte River. of the South Platte River from its confluence Roughly one-third of this human-caused fire with the South Platte to the upstream property was a stand-replacement event. High-intensity boundary of Berger Land Company, near burn areas of Beaver, Buck, and Miller Gulches Insmont. This is the area that was qualified in received extensive post-fire rehabilitation. the Forest Plan for the eligibility determination However, summer monsoonal rainstorms in for consideration for inclusion into the Wild 2000 and 2001 have resulted in substantial and Scenic River System. However, in order to sediment deposition from these tributaries of describe the hydrology of the reaches in the North Fork. question, it is important to consider the entire basin within which the rivers reside. The interrelationship between the climate and the In June of 2002, the Hayman Fire burned geomorphology of the basin governs how the 137,500 acres, much of it along the mainstem in hydrologic system is managed.

2-28 ˜ Chapter 2 The watershed above the high-water line of the peak flows are taken off and stored in Strontia Springs, including the North Fork and reservoirs, from which they can be released at a the mainstem of the South Platte, covers an area later time to meet demands in the Front Range of about 2,580 square miles. The landscape of area. These releases increase the flows in the the watershed above Strontia Springs Reservoir river at times when it naturally would have low is varied, consisting of a mosaic of rugged rocky flows. The Front Range itself is rainfall slopes, heavy forest, and open mountain mead- dominated receiving substantial amounts of ows. The western boundary of the watershed is moisture from summer rainstorms. The effects the Continental Divide, and the south and of this pattern have been altered by the addition southwest boundary is the divide between the of transmountain diversions. South Platte and Arkansas River basins. The east boundary is the Rampart Range, a divide The reservoirs are owned and operated by between Plum Creek and the South Platte River Front Range municipalities primarily for water above the high-water line of Strontia Springs supply purposes. See table 2-11 for a list of Reservoir. The north boundary is a reservoirs. Water storage is critical and serves discontinuous chain of mountains that forms a two purposes—it provides a day-to-day divide with other tributaries that join the South opportunity to regulate both water use and Platte farther downstream. The mountains surplus storage, and it provides carryover on an forming the divides range from 6,000 to more annual basis. Both are essential to water than 14,000 feet above mean sea level. South providers because of the variation of the Park is a large, nearly treeless mountain meadow weather, which affects demand both day-to-day of about 1,000 square miles, located above and over the long term. Elevenmile Reservoir and entirely surrounded Low flows recorded at the South Platte gage by mountains. Downstream from Elevenmile below Cheesman show that the average mean Reservoir, the river enters a narrow valley, and monthly flow, since the start of the period of the surrounding terrain becomes considerably record (1924), has been as low as 2.0 cubic feet steeper. The North Fork also flows in a narrow per second (cfs). This was the mean monthly valley and merges with the South Platte flow in April 1957. A 13-year period of record, upstream from Strontia Springs Reservoir. from 1956 to 1968, featured some of the lowest flows recorded for the South Platte over an FLOW CHARACTERISTICS extended period of time. The lowest year of record, however, was the 1978 runoff year, The North Fork and the South Platte during which the average mean monthly flow historically exhibited a runoff pattern typical of was 60 cfs. The mean monthly flow has not a snowmelt-dominated system—they had high dropped below 22 cfs since 1969. Even though flows in the late spring and low flows in the the lowest total flow for a water year occurred winter. This runoff pattern has been altered by since 1969, the mean monthly flow has the construction of several reservoirs remained above 22 cfs due to releases from throughout the basin. The reservoirs moderate reservoirs during low natural flow periods to the highs and lows depending upon the storage meet demands of the Front Range. and release patterns prescribed to meet water demands for agriculture and domestic uses Few minimum flow release requirements are in along the Front Range. Release patterns are force on the South Platte River. The city of highly dependent upon downstream water Aurora is required to release approximately 6 cfs rights, which commonly “call” water through for streamflow maintenance from its South Park these reservoirs. Spring peak flows tend to not sources. The city of Denver is required to be as sharp, and winter flows are much higher release 30-60 cfs, depending on the season of than natural runoff. During the runoff season, the year, below Strontia Springs Reservoir

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-29

downstream to Chatfield Reservoir for fish increased by reservoir releases on the habitat. There are no minimum release SouthPlatte, and even more so by water imports requirements and no major diversions on the through the Roberts Tunnel on the North Fork. North Fork. The lowest mean monthly flow Increased high-flow stresses on fish and recorded on the North Fork at its confluence increased bank erosion in some reaches have with the South Platte since 1957 was 17 cfs. been documented in both rivers. However, flood flows still do not occur, often reducing In 1977, the Colorado Water Conservation channel scouring or bank formation. Thus, Board (CWCB) established a 7-cfs instream sediment remains trapped in the channel and is flow right from the headwaters of the South not flushed on a regular basis. Platte to Rich Creek. Otherwise, there are few instream flow rights for either the South Platte Tables 2-3 and 2-4, respectively, show mean or the North Fork. There are, however, CWCB monthly flow records for the South Platte instream flow rights for 56 streams that are (below Cheesman Reservoir) and for the North tributary to these two rivers. Fork (at the community of South Platte) over several decades. These flow records are Recent augmentations of base flows from unadjusted for reservoir releases or the influx of releases by Elevenmile Reservoir and Cheesman transbasin water. Reservoir have improved conditions for trout in late summer, fall, and winter. In addition, these Since the addition of flow from the Roberts reservoirs modify spring peak flows and trap Tunnel to the North Fork began in 1963, the sediment being transported from upstream, mean annual flow in the North Fork measured resulting in altered stream morphology and near Grant has increased from 66 cfs to 135 cfs. aquatic habitat. High-flow stresses on fish are dependent on the magnitude and duration of The North Fork basin produces nearly the same the snowmelt runoff. The duration of high amount of water as the South Platte basin, even flows, at or near bankfull discharge, has been though the South Platte basin is at least 1,000 square miles larger. This is accounted for by the large amount of dry park area that contributes little flow from the upper South

Table 2-3.—Mean Monthly Flows for South Platte River Below Cheesman Reservoir (Period of Record 1924–95; United States Geological Survey [USGS] Gauge No. 06701500) (cfs) Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Average 123 65 46 50 49 51 147 282 326 345 342 197 Minimum 13 6.3 5.3 5.3 2.8 3.1 2 11 38 54 67 33 Maximum 380 266 118 130 143 208 932 1,716 1,067 984 984 431

Table 2-4.—Mean Monthly Flows for North Fork of the South Platte River At the Community of South Platte (Period of Record 1909-10 and 1913-82; USGS Gauge No. 06707000) (cfs) Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Average 124 79 59 53 52 60 122 359 472 301 242 145 Minimum 36 32 18 19 17 26 45 69 83 64 57 42 Maximum 110 204 151 180 150 155 452 1,062 1,193 608 579 685

2-30 ˜ Chapter 2 Platte basin and the transmountain diversions to reservoir releases on the South Platte and from the Blue River through Roberts Tunnel to water imports through the Roberts Tunnel on the North Fork. the North Fork. In some of these reaches, road location and maintenance activities, concentrated livestock, or recreation use along CHANNEL CHARACTERISTICS the river has further aggravated the bank Extensive and detailed channel stability studies erosion. were performed on the North Fork and mainstem of the South Platte River as part of Channel types on the North Fork include rocky, the Two Forks study. The Forest Service steep canyon areas, like those from Estabrook determined the data collection methods, data to Crystal Lake near the town of Pine, and sites, and channel classification techniques. The flatter, meandering areas through wider valley following channel stability information is taken sections, as is the case from Pine to Buffalo from Simons & Associates (1986b). Creek. Throughout this range of channel types, the river is basically stable, partly because of The North Fork of the South Platte River has channel stabilization work and partly because of bed material consisting mainly of cobbles and the inherent existing stability due to coarse bed boulders with some sand and gravel. The bed is material and vegetated banks. Denver Water quite stable and shows no evidence of has an ongoing project to enhance the water- significant aggradation or degradation problems. conveying capabilities of the North Fork of the For the most part, the channel banks are low South Platte River. This has required site- and stable. Some minor bank erosion is specific channel stabilization procedures to evident. Several reaches from Roberts Tunnel eliminate any increased degradation or lateral to the town of Insmont have had their water- migration associated with flow conditions since conveying capabilities enhanced with drop the Roberts Tunnel began operations in 1963. structures and riprap. This work was performed by Denver Water as preventive stabilization in The South Platte channel types range from a some cases and in response to bank instability relatively flat, meandering channel through problems in others. Some private landowners wider valley areas to very steep, rocky canyons. have requested and received from Denver The meandering channel sections include the Water special types of stabilization work, and reaches from 1 mile below Oxyoke to Trumbull, others have performed their own stabilization the first mile upstream of the confluence with work. In some reaches, low-flow the North Fork of the South Plate River, and channelization was constructed, and riprapped the reach from below Lake George to the islands and random rocks have been placed to mouth of Beaver Creek. Steeper, rocky canyons improve fish habitat. Significant development include the reaches from 1 mile below Oxyoke adjacent to the river includes agriculture, roads, to 1 mile above the confluence of the North and small towns. Fork, from Deckers to Cheesman Dam, from Cheesman Reservoir to the mouth of Beaver Based on field surveys conducted on the South Creek, and through Elevenmile Canyon Platte and the North Fork by the Forest Service, between Lake George and Elevenmile bank erosion has substantially increased over Reservoir. the past several decades in the lower gradient, meandering reaches on both rivers. Eroding Bed material sizes range from sand, gravel, and stream banks occupy a larger percentage of cobbles in flatter areas up to extremely large reach length than is typical for these stream boulders in the steeper areas. Several reservoirs types. This increased bank erosion is caused along this river have buffered the flow and mainly by the increased duration and fluctuation reduced the sediment load. Minor amounts of of high flows, at or near bankfull discharge, due land development have occurred along this

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-31

river, and no major river stabilization has at the gage, Denver does not add water to the occurred. Channel work that has been done in system from the Roberts Tunnel. With a lag a few areas includes a number of jetties and time of 12 hours between release of flows from weirs, built by fishing clubs on their own land. the Roberts Tunnel and gage readings at Grant In summary, the South Platte in the study area and the confluence, sudden storms may add is generally stable and has only minor amounts runoff to the augmented flows and, thereby, of bank instabilities. Simons & Associates cause the flow to exceed 680 or 980 cfs. (1986a) further states that: The Roberts Tunnel at full capacity can deliver There were no overall significant impacts to 1,020 cfs. In the future, the city of Denver does channel stability identified as a result of the not plan to deliver flows from the tunnel that diversion of water for any of the site-specific or would increase the combined flow of the North No Federal Action alternatives for the Fork above Grant and the tunnel to greater than mainstem channels in the study area. 680 cfs. However, the duration of flows up to 680 cfs may increase as greater demands are The primary factors affecting channels are the placed on Denver Water to provide water in the frequency, magnitude, and duration of flow; bed future. and bank material size distribution; channel bank vegetation; sediment transport capacity; The channel of the South Platte above the and sediment supply. confluence of the North Fork has experienced some erosion due to high flows and/or longer The effects of dams and reservoirs on channels than normal near bankfull conditions brought are complex. Gravel and cobble bed channels about by the combination of reservoir releases may experience aggradation below dams to meet demands and storms. because the flow releases are insufficient to transport gravel and cobbles deposited by The channel gradient of the South Platte as it tributary streams during spring high flows and flows through South Park is about 0.7 percent. other episodic events. On the other hand, Below Elevenmile Reservoir to Lake George, water that has had the natural sediment load the gradient increases to 1.0 percent. From removed by impoundments can erode channels Lake George to Cheesman, the gradient in order to reach a state of dynamic equilibrium. increases to 1.3 percent. From Cheesman to Strontia, the gradient reduces to 0.5 percent. The channel of the North Fork has been altered The gradient of the North Fork from Insmont by the placement of bank stabilization to its confluence with the South Platte averages structures to protect the banks from erosion approximately 1–2 percent. brought about by the Roberts Tunnel transbasin diversion. Erosion has accelerated because of the increase of time that flows have been held WATER QUALITY near bankfull in order to meet metropolitan area Water quality and stream condition information water demands. Denver operates the flow from have been updated by revised editions of the the Roberts Tunnel with the intent of never State's Clean Water Act 303(d) and 305(b) exceeding a combined flow of 680 cfs, reports of impaired streams (CDHPE, 2002a measured at the State gage near Grant, or and 2002b) and by a watershed reconnaissance 980 cfs at the confluence with the South Platte. done by the Forest Service from 1997 to 1999. The 680 cfs is the sum of natural flow above the gage at Geneva Creek and does not include transbasin diversions from the tunnel. The 980-cfs value is the combined total of all natural flows and the transbasin diversion. When the natural flow of the North Fork exceeds 680 cfs

2-32 ˜ Chapter 2 This information is reported below for the water aquatic life (20 decrees Celcius [°C]) or eligible segments in the South Platte and the may have exceeded the temperature standard North Fork. for diurnal fluctuation in temperature (no more than 3 °C increase over a minimum of a 4-hour South Platte River period, lasting 13 hours maximum). Temperature impairment may be due to releases The upper basin provides excellent habitat for of warmer surface water from reservoirs, aquatic life and recreational opportunities in changes in stream morphology (from narrow, spite of sediment loading in many tributaries. deep channels to wide, shallow channels), or Table 2-5 shows water quality information from lack of shading by streamside vegetation. the State 303(d) report (CDHPE, 2002b) for the Table 2-7 shows how eligible river segments on South Platte basin above Strontia Springs. That the South Platte could be affected by inflow report lists (1) the South Platte River from from those streams, as determined by the Pike Elevenmile Dam to Cheesman Reservoir and National Forest watershed reconnaissance (2) Trout Creek and its tributaries as only completed in 1997. partially supporting coldwater aquatic life due to high sediment loads. South Mosquito Creek is The Pike National Forest watershed identified as not supporting, and Mosquito reconnaissance shows 20 tributaries of the Creek as only partially supporting, the South Platte in the study area to be impacted by designated beneficial uses owing to metals from sediment loads. These tributaries deliver mining impacts. In addition, table 2-6 lists increased sediment loads to the river. Sediment several tributaries of the South Platte for which sources include roads, off-road-vehicle paths, the report recommends further monitoring and concentrated-use sites, bank erosion, and evaluation, because these tributaries have sediment from the Buffalo Creek and Hi suspected water quality problems and may Meadow Fires, most of which are inventoried. deliver sediment to the South Platte River. The Hayman Fire of 2002 burned 137,500 acres Streams listed for temperature impairment may within the Upper South Platte watershed. have exceeded temperature standards for cold Approximately 3,400 acres or 15 percent (%) of

Table 2-5.—Water Quality in South Platte Mainstem Basin (Not Including the North Fork) Above Strontia Springs Segment Description Status1 Constituent(s) Use Classification1 South Platte River, from Partially Sediment Aquatic Life Cold 1 Elevenmile Dam to supporting Recreation 2 Cheesman Reservoir Water Supply (COSPUS01A) Agriculture Mosquito Creek, Source to Partially Zn, Cd, Pb Aquatic Life Cold 1 Middle Fork South Platte supporting Recreation 1 River (COSPUS02B) Water Supply Agriculture South Mosquito Creek, Not supporting Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn Aquatic Life Cold 1 Above Mosquito Creek, Recreation 1 Below Historic Mining Water Supply (COSPUS02C) Agriculture Trout Creek and Tributaries Partially Sediment Aquatic Life Cold 1 (COSPUS03) supporting Recreation 2 Water Supply Agriculture

1 See Appendix I for an explanation of status and classification.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-33

Table 2-6.—Streams in the South Platte Basin (Not Including the North Fork) Above Strontia Springs Identified for Monitoring and Evaluation

Segment Description Impairment

South Platte River, Sources to North Fork South Platte River Sediment South Platte River, Spring Creek to North Fork South Platte River Sediment (Buffalo Creek Fire) Balm of Gilead Creek Sediment, Temperature Cross Creek Sediment, Temperature Fish Creek Sediment, Temperature Ranger Station Creek Sediment, Temperature Salt Creek Downstream of North Fork Sediment, Temperature Sims Creek Sediment, Temperature Tarryall Creek Sediment Threemile Creek Sediment, Temperature Twin Creek Sediment, Temperature Union Creek Sediment, Temperature Wigwam Creek (Flying G Ranch to South Platte) Sediment Goose Creek (Lost Valley Ranch to Cheesman) Sediment, Temperature Horse Creek Sediment, Temperature Indian Creek Sediment Pine Creek Sediment Russell Gulch Sediment South Fork Lost Creek Sediment Spring Creek and Tributaries Sediment (Buffalo Creek Fire) Sugar Creek Sediment Trail Creek Sediment, Temperature

Table 2-7.—Impacts on Eligible River Segments from Suspect Tributaries in the South Platte Basin (Not Including the North Fork)

Segment Impact

A Sediment loads, noxious weeds, flow disruption (some), bank damage (some)

B Sediment loads, noxious weeds, flow disruption (some), bank damage (some)

C Sediment loads, flow disruption

D Sediment loads, flow disruption (some), bank damage (some)

E Sediment loads, noxious weeds, flow disruption (some), bank damage (some)

2-34 ˜ Chapter 2 the Wild and Scenic River study corridor streams in the North Fork watershed that have burned. Much of the area did not burn due to been placed on the State’s 303(d) monitoring higher moisture levels and steep canyon walls. and evaluation list, and table 2-10 shows how The burn that did occur within the corridor was eligible river segments on the North Fork could low, 84%, to moderate, 9%, with only 7% of the be affected by inflow from those streams, as corridor inventoried as severely burned. determined by the Pike National Forest However, sedimentation is high as sediment watershed reconnaissance completed in 1997. flows in from severely burned areas above the corridor, especially from the east side. The Pike National Forest watershed reconnaissance identifies several tributaries to the North Fork of the South Platte in the study North Fork of South Platte River area to be impacted by sediment loads. These Aquatic life is severely restricted in the North tributaries deliver increased sediment loads to Fork and in tributaries such as Geneva Creek the river. Sediment sources include roads, off- because water quality in these streams has been road-vehicle paths, concentrated-use sites, bank degraded by past mining activities and by erosion, and sediment from the Buffalo Creek natural contact with minerals. The State 303(d) Fire, most of which are inventoried. report (CDHPE, 1998)(see table 2-8) lists the North Fork of the South Platte River (Hall WATER DEVELOPMENT AND USES Valley), Geneva Creek, and Scott Gomer Creek as partially supporting coldwater aquatic life due Current Water Supply to metals contamination from abandoned mines Indigenous and imported water is released from and from mineral-rich geology. In addition, the storage reservoirs and transported down the State 305(b) report (CDHPE, 2002) lists Buffalo rivers to satisfy domestic and irrigation demands Creek and the North Fork below Buffalo Creek along the Front Range. Table 2-11 lists the as severely impacted by sediment loads from the reservoirs in the South Platte basin and in Buffalo Creek Fire and floods. Table 2-9 lists

Table 2-8.—Water Quality in the North Fork of the South Platte Basin Above Strontia Springs Use Segment Description Status1 Constituent(s) Classification1 North Fork South Platte, Hall Valley to Partially Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb Aquatic Life Cold 1 Geneva Creek (COSPUS04) supporting Recreation 2 Water Supply Agriculture Geneva Creek, Scott Gomer Creek to North Partially Zn Aquatic Life Cold 1 Fork South Platte River (COSPUS05B) supporting Recreation 2 Agriculture

1 See Appendix I for an explanation of status and classification.

Table 2-9.—Streams in the North Fork of the South Platte Basin Identified for Monitoring and Evaluation Segment Description Impairment Buno Creek and Tributaries Metals Buffalo Creek, Indian Creek to South Platte River Sediment (Buffalo Creek Fire) North Fork South Platte, Buffalo Creek to South Platte River Sediment (Buffalo Creek Fire) Geneva Creek above Scott Gomer Creek Zn, Mining Impacts

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-35

Table 2-10.—Impacts on Eligible River Segments from Suspect Tributaries in the North Fork of the South Platte Basin Segment Impact H1 Sediment loads, chemical/metals, flow disruption, channel work H2 Sediment loads, chemical/metals, flow disruption, channel work H3 (above Buffalo Creek) Chemical/metals, flow disruption, channel work H3 (below Buffalo Creek) Chemical/metals, flow disruption, channel work, sediment loads, and bank damage (some)

Table 2-11.—Reservoir Capacity, Control or Ownership, and Amount of Storage by Municipality Storage by Capacity Municipality Reservoir Name (acre-feet) Municipality (acre-feet)

South Platte Basin Tarryall 2,445 CDOW 2,445 Antero 20,015 Denver 20,015 Spinney Mountain 53,651 Aurora 53,151 Thornton 500 Elevenmile 97,779 Denver 97,779 Cheesman 79,064 Denver 79,064 Strontia Springs 7,864 Denver 7,164 Aurora 700 Jefferson Lake 2,170 Aurora 2,170 Wellington 4,400 Wellington Res. Co. 4,300 Thornton 100 Duck Lake 600 Burlington Ditch Res. Co. 550 Thornton 50

Blue River Basin Dillon 254,036 Denver 254,036

Arkansas/ Eagle River Basin Homestake 45,000 Aurora 21,441 Turquoise 129,433 Aurora 20,000 Twin Lakes 140,339 Aurora 2,717

2-36 ˜ Chapter 2 adjacent basins that supply water to the Denver water that is released from Antero, Elevenmile, metropolitan area through the South Platte Cheesman, and Dillon Reservoirs and conveyed River system. through the South Platte, the Roberts Tunnel, and the North Fork to the Marston and An understanding of how the supply system is Foothills water treatment plants (map 2-6). managed can be gained by studying how the city of Denver manages its water needs. The Antero Reservoir.—Antero Reservoir, located following description of the Denver Water on the South Fork of the South Platte River, has system is limited to information necessary to a capacity of 20,015 acre-feet. The reservoir has understand the potential effects of a Wild and a relatively junior water right (1907) and is Scenic designation on the system. All of operated to provide Denver Water with Denver’s water is derived from water rights carryover storage that is needed during long owned or controlled by Denver Water through drought periods. Once Antero Reservoir is the State of Colorado water rights priority filled, it is maintained as full as possible and is system. Raw water supply system diversions are not used to provide for normal seasonal located on both the eastern and western slopes fluctuations in demand. When Antero of the mountains, in the South Platte and Blue Reservoir’s storage is depleted, it may take many River basins, respectively. years to refill because of its junior water right and upstream location. Evaporation losses In many years, the Denver Water raw water from Antero Reservoir, Elevenmile Reservoir, system can legally divert more water than can be and Cheesman Reservoir (discussed below) are consumed or stored; however, during dry years made up to the South Platte River system and during parts of the fall, winter, and spring through exchange at the Metropolitan Denver months, the divertible yield to the Denver Sewage Disposal District 1 Central Plant Water system is less than the demand, and water (MDSDD No. 1) by discharging sewage effluent must be drawn from storage reservoirs to derived from western slope water. provide the difference. The divertible yield is the amount of water that Denver Water could Elevenmile Reservoir.—Elevenmile Reservoir, legally remove from the various river basins, located on the South Platte River, has very assuming adequate storage is available for all junior decreed rights (1926 and 1957). The water not immediately used. The actual yield to storage capacity is 97,778 acre-feet. The reser- Denver consumers in a given year is also voir is operated in the Denver Water system to influenced by operational factors and carryover provide carryover storage that is needed during storage. long drought periods. Once Elevenmile Reservoir is depleted, it may take many years to The Denver Water raw water supply system is refill because of the junior water rights. composed of water rights and physical facilities. The water rights comprise a large number of Cheesman Reservoir.—Cheesman Reservoir, diversion, storage, and exchange rights. located on the South Platte River, has relatively Physical facilities include diversion, storage, and senior decreed rights (1889, 1893, and 1929) for conveyance elements, which are necessary to an active storage capacity of 79,064 acre-feet. reliably satisfy the demand of Denver Water Cheesman Reservoir is operated to provide users and meet the commitments to other water storage to accommodate seasonal fluctuations in suppliers in the Denver metropolitan area for supply and demand and provide carryover raw and treated water. Denver’s system is storage for long-term dry periods. Because of divided into two major units: the southern its senior rights and downstream location, system and the northern system. Potential Wild Cheesman Reservoir is more easily refilled than and Scenic River designation would affect only any of the other large South Platte reservoirs. the southern system, which consists of the

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-37

Map 2-6.—Water Collection System.

2-38 ˜ Chapter 2 Dillon Reservoir.—The upstream component of years—available water supplies can become the Blue River basin subsystem is Dillon inadequate. Water restrictions and pricing Reservoir, which was constructed in the 1960s disincentives ensue, serving as reminders to as part of the development of the Blue River citizens and governments that abundant water basin as a water supply source for Denver. cannot be assumed. Dillon Reservoir has a capacity of 254,346 acre- feet of storage above the outlet to the Roberts Other water providers manage their systems in Tunnel. The terms of a Federal right-of-way much the same way as Denver Water to one provide for a minimum release to the Blue River degree or another. Only those listed below of 50 cfs or the natural inflow to Dillon have rights that make a noticeable impact on the Reservoir, whichever is less. Historically, the South Platte basin. minimum release and downstream tributary Aurora.—The current demand for Aurora is inflows have been sufficient to satisfy active approximately 60,000 acre-feet per year and senior agricultural water rights downstream on growing at about 2 percent per year. Of that, the Blue River. 45 percent is native South Platte River water, The Roberts Tunnel conveys water from Dillon 50 percent is imported from the Arkansas and Reservoir to the North Fork at Grant. The Colorado basins using the South Platte as a direct flow decreed capacity of the tunnel is conduit, and 5 percent is from local supplies. 788 cfs. The Roberts Tunnel also intercepts a Current water rights available through the South ground water source and produces Platte basin total 35,000 acre-feet per year. approximately 5 cfs of yield in addition to the Aurora is projecting a need for an additional transmitted flow. Water delivered to the eastern 10,000 acre-feet every decade. Some of that will slope through the Roberts Tunnel flows down come from water conservation, additional reuse the North Fork from Grant to the confluence within the service area, and other local supplies. with the mainstem of the South Platte River. It is expected that a majority of the new Flow in the North Fork is constrained by supplies will be delivered through the existing channel capacity, which is 680 cfs at Grant and South Platte system. 980 cfs at the confluence with the mainstem. The flow in the North Fork is further Thornton.—Thornton derives approximately constrained in the winter because of icing 15 percent of its water supply needs from the conditions that reduce channel capacity. South Platte basin during average or wet years. Roberts Tunnel releases are restricted to the During drought years, that figure rises to differences between actual flow in the North approximately 25 percent. Thornton’s current Fork and the capacity constraints of the demand is approximately 24,000 acre-feet per channel. Conveyance losses of 5 percent are year. charged by the State Engineer against water delivered from Dillon Reservoir to account for Future Demands for Water seepage losses in the North Fork. Projecting the future water needs of the Denver Denver looks to the South Platte basin to metropolitan area is a highly complex provide approximately 75 percent of its water undertaking. Studies are made every few years supply needs (50 percent from the South Platte on the matter; and while the general pattern of and 25 percent from the North Fork). The projected shortages regularly appears, the details current demand on the Denver system averages vary. For example, information supplied by the 285,000 acre-feet per year. The current yield is water providers indicates that their long-term approximately 375,000 acre-feet per year, which needs for additional firm annual supplies total is a long-term average. In extended periods of 34,000 acre-feet for Denver Water (after the drought—such as has occurred in the last few year 2035), 125,000 acre-feet for the Suburban

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-39

Water Providers, and 39,000 acre-feet for Water suppliers in the Denver metropolitan area Aurora. (Denver Board of Water are not equally prepared for these future Commissioners, 1997; Suburban Water demands for water. Denver Water is the best Suppliers Wild and Scenic Task Force, 1997). prepared, having secured adequate supplies for at least the next 50 years. Some suburban In another view of projected water needs, providers are much less prepared, as they rely the Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation on ground water supplies that are being (MWSI) (Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, recharged either not at all or at a rate Inc., 1999) explored cooperative solutions to insufficient to perpetually supply the demands future water supply needs in the metropolitan of a rapidly growing area. Surface water rights Denver area. Prepared for the Colorado Water from the South Platte, Arkansas, and Colorado Conservation Board, the investigation reviewed River basins have been the preferred source of supply and demand projections, as summarized water supplies. in table 2-12. It also identified future unmet water needs in the range of 79,000 to As surface water supplies become more costly 148,000 acre-feet and reviewed cooperative because of limited supplies, environmental approaches that could help address the unmet regulations, and political resistance to new dams needs of the metropolitan area. Considerable and reservoirs, other sources are being explored. uncertainty surrounds the projections made Northern Denver suburbs have acquired therein, related to the assumptions that had to irrigated farmland and concomitant water rights be made for environmental factors, political with plans to divert and use the water for factors, population growth, price changes, and municipal purposes. Agriculture accounts for other factors. more than 90 percent of all Colorado water consumption, and municipal use of the same While Denver Water, Suburban Water Suppliers water would actually reduce consumption Wild and Scenic Task Force, and MWSI reports (Natural Resources Law Center, University of do not appear completely consistent, any actual Colorado School of Law, 2001, p. 111). discrepancies simply point out the complexity However, Denver area residents and local that is inherent in projections of this nature. governments are concerned that pursuing Additional complexity comes from the agricultural water could threaten the traditional magnitude of information and analytical systems and desirable land use and small town required for making comprehensive analyses of economies just outside the metro area. water resource issues. An effort currently underway is described in the South Platte Decision Southern Denver suburbs have chosen ground Support System by the Colorado Water water as their primary source, at least Conservation Board (2001; see especially p. 1-1 temporarily. The southern suburbs are located to 1-3). A summary of various efforts can be on top of four vast deep aquifers—Dawson, found also in a study published by the Natural Denver, Arapahoe, and Laramie-Fox Hills. Resources Law Center at the University of Each is being heavily tapped by subdivisions in Colorado School of Law (Nichols et al., 2001, Douglas County. Experts disagree on the pp. 15-20). While this Wild and Scenic River merits of using this resource. While all study takes note of these complexities, it is recognize that the water source is limited, some beyond the scope of this study to resolve them. believe it is acceptable to draw down the Regardless of the actual numbers, it remains aquifers and rely on the supplies for many years. clear that the Denver metropolitan area will Others see this as prudent only in the short need to obtain additional water, from some term, allowing local water providers time to source, to serve projected growth. pursue more reasonable long-term supplies.

2-40 ˜ Chapter 2 Table 2-12.—Projected Water Supply and Demand, Denver Metropolitan Area (Data in Acre-Feet per Year)

Projected Reasonably Future Certain Future Water Basis of Future Unmet Applicable Cooperative Sub-region Demand Projection Supply1 Needs2 Supply Opportunities3

Denver Central 4 454,000 Build-out 410,000 5 14,000 to Conjunctive use with South sub- 44,000 region, effluent management with northeast sub-region, system integration with northwest sub-region and Aurora South Metro 127,000 Build-out 127,000 0 Conjunctive user with Denver, effluent management within Cherry and Plum Creek basins City of Aurora 6 105,000 2030 75,000 6 30,000 Effluent management with Northeast sub-region, coordinated reservoir operations with Denver Northeast metro 125,000 Build-out 7 61,000 to 7 25,000 to System integration and effluent 100,000 64,000 management among Denver, Aurora, Brighton, South Adams County WSD, Thornton and the Barr Lake companies Northwest Metro 100,000 Build-out 90,000 10,000 System integration with Denver, effluent management within Clear Creek and Big Dry Creek basins Total 911,000 763,000 to 79,000 to 802,000 148,000

1 Based on their planning efforts to date, water providers have a relatively high degree of confidence in these supplies. 2 Providers have a relatively lower degree of confidence in their plans to meet these needs, based on uncertainty factors and the comparatively longer time frames before these supplies would be needed. 3 Cooperative supply opportunities could be used to meet future unmet needs or as an alternative to reasonably certain future supplies. 4 Includes Denver Water and Englewood; includes Denver Water’s 30,000 AF safety factor 5 Based on the expected range of Denver Water’s future safety factor. 6 Includes Aurora’s 10,000 AF planning reserve 7 Depending on the degree of implementation of Thornton’s Northern Project.

All of the study corridors contain areas that the withdrawals are still in effect. As a have potential dam sites for water storage result, none of the study rivers currently for the Denver metropolitan area. Some of receive any legal protection from these sites have been under consideration hydropower development, dam for more than a century. The entire South construction, diversions, or other water Platte study corridor is within existing developments other than under section 404 power site withdrawals—lands reserved for of the Clean Water Act (dredge and fill power development under section 24 of the permit system administered by the Federal Power Act of June 10, 1920, as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the amended (16 United States Code [USC] Environmental Protection Agency). 818). This land was withdrawn in cooperation with the Federal Energy In addition, Denver Water has an approved Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the right-of-way for a 345,000-acre-foot planned Two Forks dam and reservoir, and reservoir, issued in 1931 by the

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-41

U.S. Department of the Interior pursuant to resource development interests claim the the provisions of the Transfer Act of study area contains the most efficient and February 15, 1905 (33 Statute 628). A least costly storage sites for supplying the reservoir on this right-of-way would future water needs of the Denver inundate private and National Forest System metropolitan area. However, there are no lands from just below the confluence of the current projects or active applications for South Platte and the North Fork to just dam construction or energy development upstream of Foxton on the North Fork and within the study segments. to just upstream of Deckers on the South Platte (map 2-7). Interest arises, from time to time, in obtaining additional western slope waters In the 1980s, a proposal for a for use in the Denver metropolitan area. 1,100,000-acre-foot reservoir was Western slope interests tend to be strongly analyzed in the 1988 Metropolitan Denver opposed to such transbasin diversion. Water Supply Environmental Impact Statement Should any such efforts prove successful, (USACE, 1988). The preferred alternative the obtained waters would probably be proposed the construction of a 600-foot- transported to the Denver area via the high Two Forks Dam just below the South Platte River system. However, it is confluence of the South Platte and the unclear how much of this water would North Fork in the same general vicinity as require additional reservoir storage within the reservoir contemplated under the the study corridors. The kind of water 1931 right-of-way (map 2-7). Other involved would undoubtedly be snowmelt alternatives proposed included a smaller, water from years of abundant runoff, and 400,000-acre-foot Two Forks Reservoir, a storage would initially be needed in the river 200,000-acre-foot reservoir at Estabrook, basin where the runoff occurs. From there, and a new Cheesman Reservoir formed by a the water would only need to be delivered dam just downstream from the current to the Front Range area for treatment and Cheesman Dam (Cheesman Expansion). use—and an additional storage facility in the The Environmental Protection Agency study corridors might not be necessary. issued a Recommendation Determination in 1989 to prohibit construction of all Alternatives to dam construction are proposed options under section 404(c) of receiving increased interest. These the Clean Water Act. The Final alternatives include conservation, Determination, issued by EPA in 1990, was agricultural water, and conjunctive use. upheld in a June 5, 1996, U.S. District Conservation.—For several years, Denver Court decision on an appeal by eight Water has been stressing water conservation suburban water districts. (See Section 3.3, within its service area, with notable success. History.) The decision to prohibit dam While population has increased more than construction under the 1988 proposals does 10 percent in that area since 1980, water not affect the original 1931 right-of-way for consumption has not changed appreciably a 345,000-acre-foot reservoir. (Denver Water, 1998).

Interest in dam construction in the study Agricultural Water.—Substantial amounts corridors is likely to continue, inasmuch as of water are devoted to agricultural uses in the two study rivers serve as major conduits the Front Range area. Portions of these for transporting water to the Denver waters have been converted to municipal metropolitan area from within the basin and uses in the past (Hydrosphere, 2001, p. 26), from the western slope. Some water

2-42 ˜ Chapter 2

Inset r ve en n D ita N ol ort p h Fo tro rk S e rk out M ea o h P Pine Jct. Ar F latte th Riv or er N 96 Strontia Buffalo Bailey Creek Buffalo Creek Springs Strontia Res. Springs Res.

ation nt Situ Curre 67

126

Deckers

Cheesman Res.

Deckers

e t t la r P 67 e Lake h v Woodland t i George u R Park o S er iv R Elevenmile tte a Pl Res. h ut So

Inset shows the approximate extent of water-line for (1) the 1931 USDI Right-of-Way and (2) the Two Forks reservoir proposed in the 1980’s.

Map 2-7.—Areas Associated with Right-of-Way and Once-Proposed Two Forks Reservoir. South Platte River and North Fork of the South Platte River Wild and Scenic River Study.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-43

and more could be converted as provided eastern Colorado. Close to the city of by Colorado water law. This practice is Denver, the fishery in the South Platte River highly controversial. Communities, has been utilized since Euro-Americans first governments, and other institutions located settled the area. Native Americans most in agricultural areas are generally reluctant to likely used the fishery in the system as well. support conversion to nonagricultural uses elsewhere because of concerns that The high quality of the fishery has economic contraction in the agricultural historically provided anglers from areas could follow (Nichols et al., 2001, throughout the country with a quality pp. 111-121). This is an ongoing issue and recreational fishing experience. The Platte is far from being resolved. Canyon was a popular resort area from 1880 through the early decades of the Conjunctive Use.—A promising avenue for 20th century. In addition to other services, increasing water supplies in the Denver the famous “fish train” operated in the metro area lies with conjunctive use. The summer months (Kindig et al., 1959). The same geologic formations that contain the fish train brought anglers from the Front aquifers mentioned above could be used as Range communities into the Platte Canyon, underground reservoirs. Suburbs that dropping them off along the South Platte acquire surface water rights could divert River for a day or weekend of fishing. The them to the area and pump them down into trains were a popular way to reach the the formations during seasons and years of numerous resorts along the river. A high flows. During dry seasons and drought Monday morning run was made early years, this stored water would then be enough to ensure that weekend guests could pumped back up. This strategy relies on the be back to work on time. efficient use of all existing water delivery systems (dams, reservoirs, canals, natural The native trout in the South Platte River channels, etc.) of most metro area water was the greenback cutthroat trout providers, plus an investment in aquifer (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias). This species was pumping and distribution facilities. apparently highly utilized, and the large Improved cooperation among water number of anglers and abundant catches providers would also be necessary. eventually took their toll on the native trout fishery. As early as the 1880s, fish culturists began rearing non-native trout in the Denver area. An early explanation for 2.13 FISHERIES introducing brook trout included the observation that the greenback cutthroat “is HISTORY so easily caught, it is so unwary and confiding, that the fish in a moderate-sized The Arkansas River and the South Platte stream can be taken out in one season with River are the two main drainages east of the a hook line and grasshopper” (Wiltzius, Continental Divide in Colorado. Because of 1985). Private hatcheries began operation its size, accessibility, and high quality fishery along the South Platte River as early as resource, the South Platte River has an 1872, which began the introduction of non- extensive history, in terms of its fishing native trout in Colorado. The result of heritage. Being relatively large and close to these and subsequent stocking of brook, the major population centers of Colorado, it rainbow and brown trout in the South Platte offers the most prolific and probably highest quality trout fishing resource in

2-44 ˜ Chapter 2 drainage was largely responsible for the loss and level of infestations of spores. The of the greenback, through competition and level of fine sediment does appear to be hybridization. more of a controlling factor than nutrient enrichment. CDOW has made tremendous Whirling disease was introduced in strides in containing the disease, ensuring Colorado accidentally in 1987 from a private that stocked fish are either disease free or hatchery in Idaho (CDOW, 2003). Since are large enough (greater than 5 inches) to then, it has spread throughout the State. lessen susceptibility to the effects of the The water borne parasite that causes the disease. disease, Myxobolus cerebralis, has a two-host lifecycle that involves trout and a common The effects of the disease for each river bottom-dwelling tubifex worms. Young-of- segment are described below. the-year less than 5 inches in length are most susceptible as the myxobolus organism The South Platte River, in particular the attacks soft cartilage before it turns to bone. Cheesman Canyon area, has been the In larger fish, this cartilage has hardened subject of magazine articles, television into bone making them less susceptible to shows, and even books. The high quality the effects of the disease. These larger fish and aesthetic values of the fishery have can, however, carry the whirling disease drawn considerable attention to this area for spores. Symptoms include deformities a number of years. resembling scoliosis and erratic tail-chasing, CDOW manages fish populations within hence the name. the study area. Mortality of young trout results from various histological and physical SEGMENT DELINEATION impairments caused by the disease which leaves the fish vulnerable to limiting over- River segments referred to throughout winter habitat factors. Thus, recruitment of Chapter 2 are described in table 1-2 and the young trout through the winter is shown on map 1-3. severely reduced or eliminated. All species of trout are susceptible to the disease, South Platte – Segments A and B especially rainbow and cutthroat trout. Brook trout are more susceptible in areas Habitat Characteristics.—These segments with high infestations of the infective stage of the South Platte River probably contain of the disease. Brown trout appear to be the most diverse habitat conditions of any less susceptible to losing a lot of young to of the study areas. The river exits the the disease but can carry a large number of Elevenmile Dam, which influences physical spores throughout the adult life stage. Also, characteristics of the river channel, as well there is some evidence to suggest brown as several water quality parameters. rout immune systems work to reduce the The physical characteristics of the South level of spores carried throughout the adult Platte River in Elevenmile Canyon are, in life stage. large, part a result of the canyon The tubifex worms that host the disease are morphology. The river flows through found throughout the South Platte River cascades and high-gradient boulder rapids in system, but the level of spore burdens in areas where the canyon is relatively narrow trout vary with changes in habitat. There and the valley gradient is high. These areas appears to be no correlation between the also include deep pools where the river has level of nutrients and sediment in the water scoured the streambed adjacent to bedrock

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-45

cliffs. Areas where the valley is wider and flows occurring in the fall, winter, and part the gradient is less exhibit different of the spring. The main difference is that characteristics. These areas are dominated there are relatively sudden increases and by wide, shallow riffles and glides, and they decreases in flows, which typically are not as are depositional areas for sediment that has often and dramatic as in unregulated been produced from erosional processes streams. upstream. Erosion is also more prevalent in the low-gradient areas, primarily due to the Historically, extremely low flows during unconsolidated banks and the depositional winter months contributed to poor habitat nature of the channel. conditions during the winter months (CDOW, unpublished sampling report, As the stream exits the canyon, it travels 1985). Indeed, flows of less than 3 cfs were through private land that is channelized recorded as late as 1978. The completion of around the town of Lake George. This area Spinney Mountain Reservoir in 1981 provides little fish habitat, as adequate provided sufficient storage to improve depths and other forms of cover are winter flow conditions. Records indicate extremely limited. Just downstream of this that winter flows have not been less than channelized section, the river passes 15 cfs since 1987. through a wide valley, where it exhibits considerable meandering. Unfortunately, Surface-release reservoirs have several there is little woody riparian vegetation effects on the stream system downstream. along this stretch; and, as a result, there is Because the water is coming from the upper considerable bank erosion and poor pool portion or epilimnion of the reservoir, development. stream temperatures tend to be warmer during summer months. During the winter As the river enters a steeper canyon months, when the reservoir is ice covered, downstream of the private land, meandering the coldest water is typically found at the decreases, and habitat also improves. A top of the reservoir. As a result, the river variety of habitat conditions exist in this downstream carries colder water than would portion of the segment, between the private typically be found if the reservoir were not land and Beaver Creek. Pools, rapids, and present. Temperatures in the South Platte glides are more abundant here, and the River downstream of Elevenmile Dam substrate is more variable, with large exhibit higher seasonal fluctuations than boulders becoming more prevalent, they would if a bottom-release reservoir or providing additional habitat. no reservoir were present. Although there is evidence to indicate that these The river exits Elevenmile Reservoir temperature fluctuations may improve through a surface release outlet. Although conditions for the native sucker species in the amount of released water can be Elevenmile Canyon, they do not appear to regulated to some extent, the storage benefit the trout fishery. capacity of the reservoir dictates the amount of water released during the snowmelt The surface-release outlet works on the dam runoff period. The flow releases from the may provide a food source for aquatic dam affect the hydrologic conditions macroinvertebrates directly downstream of downstream. A hydrograph of the river in the reservoir. Nutrients, algae, and this section generally follows a pattern zooplankton in the surface layer are typically normally seen in stream systems in the washed over the dam, where aquatic insects Rocky Mountain Region, with peak flows downstream consume them. These insects, occurring in the summer months, and low in turn, are a primary food source for fish in

2-46 ˜ Chapter 2 close proximity to the dam. Many of these Several game fish found in this reach, some insects are highly specialized to capture the actively managed by CDOW and others, are floating material and organisms coming over a result of migration from Elevenmile the dam by the use of specialized filtering Reservoir (Chadwick and Associates, 1986). appendages and net-like devices they Catchable and subcatchable rainbow, construct. Because there is little informa- brown, and cutthroat trout have been tion on the aquatic macroinvertebrate planted in this section of the river to populations downstream of Elevenmile provide a put-and-take fishery and to Dam, it is impossible to say whether the establish self-sustaining populations of current situation benefits the fishery or not. trout. Although rainbow trout reproduction is limited in this segment, the brown trout Chadwick Ecological Consultants (1986) population is, by and large, self-sustaining. used the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) to model flows in this Native fish in these segments include white reach during the 1980s. Their results suckers (Catostomus commersoni), longnose indicated that for brown trout, juvenile suckers (Catostomus catostomus), and creek habitat is the most abundant type of habitat chubs (Semotllus atromaculatus). Although the in this section. For adult rainbow trout, two sucker species are common, they are suitable habitat is almost twice as abundant generally not considered a desirable game as adult brown trout habitat. The amount fish. of suitable habitat, for all life stages, decreases during the high flows of the Whirling disease becomes more prevalent in snowmelt runoff period. Although this trout populations the further downstream seasonal trend is also apparent for rainbow one gets from Elevenmile Dam. The trout, adult habitat far exceeds that of other rainbow trout in Elevenmile Canyon still life stages. When compared to other maintain self-sustaining populations because sections of the South Platte River, much of the in-stream habitat is not Segments A, B, and C, contain the second conducive to supporting the whirling highest amount of suitable trout habitat in disease two-stage life cycle. the river. Only Cheesman Canyon Angler Use.—Angler use in the public (Segment D) contains more adult habitat for sections of these segments is relatively high both species. This may be due in part to the (CDOW, 1993, 1994). In 1994, the CDOW variety of habitats in this reach, especially conducted creel census estimates of three the deeper pools and runs associated with segments of this section, all in Elevenmile large rocks and boulders. Canyon. This census was conducted Fishery Management.—Segment A is between May and September, when the managed as a quality regulation area, from highest number of anglers was present. Elevenmile Dam to the Wagon Tongue Results indicated that the lower and middle Gulch Bridge, approximately 2.5 miles portions of the canyon received similar downstream. Regulations include a limit of fishing pressure (651 and 737 hours per two fish over 16 inches. This regulation acre, respectively). The upper portion provides a higher quality fishery in terms of closer to the dam received considerably the ability of anglers to catch larger, trophy- more use (4,018 hours per acre). size trout. The remainder of Segments A Discrepancies between the two areas could and B are managed as a standard regulation be attributable to available camping in the area, with an eight-fish limit. upper portion of the canyon, preference for special regulations in that area, or a

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-47

combination of factors. The relatively high Historically, extremely low flows fishing pressure in these segments may be contributed to poor habitat conditions attributable to several factors, including during the winter months (CDOW, accessibility from adjacent roads, close unpublished sampling report, 1985) proximity to major population areas along although these flows were not as low as the Front Range, the high quality fishery, those in Segments A and B, owing to the intensive management by the CDOW, and influence from tributaries in this segment. the aesthetic value of the area. Most likely, In addition, recent flow conditions in the it is a combination of these factors that river have provided considerably more provides the high quality fishery observed in water during the winter months as a result this segment. of additional upstream reservoirs and the transmission of additional water to Denver. South Platte – Segment C Habitat conditions for brown and rainbow trout is similar to segments A and B and is Habitat Characteristics.—This segment of described above for those segments. the South Platte River is, in most part, confined in a narrow, high-gradient canyon. Fishery Management.—This segment of the Sinuosity is relatively low, while stream South Platte River is designated as “wild gradient is higher than in many portions of trout waters” by the CDOW. This Segments A and B. Although there are designation is given to relatively high quality areas of reduced gradient, much of this waters that are capable of producing a segment is typified by pool-riffle complexes quality trout fishery. These waters receive associated with boulders and bedrock. little, if any, hatchery supplementation and Riparian vegetation is restricted to areas rely primarily on natural reproduction for directly adjacent to the river, and several recruitment to the fishery. This designation tributaries, including Tarryall Creek, enter was placed on this portion of the river for the river in this segment. two primary reasons: (1) the lack of fishing pressure due to the inaccessible nature of The nutrient enrichment and the thermal the area and (2) the relatively high potential and chemical modifications associated with for natural reproduction. CDOW last Elevenmile Reservoir most likely do not stocked fingerling brown trout in this significantly influence this section of the segment in 1990. Steelhead rainbow fry river. However, the flow releases from the were stocked in Happy Meadows dam do affect the hydrologic conditions (Segment B) and Wildcat Canyon here. The hydrograph of the river in this (Segment C) from 1990 through 1994. This section generally follows a pattern normally stocking was conducted to supplement seen in stream systems in the Rocky natural reproduction of brown trout and to Mountain Region, with peak flows introduce a large rainbow trout strain that occurring in the summer months and low would migrate to Cheesman Reservoir as flows occurring in the fall, winter, and part juveniles and return to the river as large of the spring. The main difference is that adults. However, it was learned that the there are relatively sudden increases and stocked fish were not a true steelhead trout decreases in flows, which are not observed strain but were an undetermined rainbow to this extent in unregulated streams. trout strain. The likelihood that these fish Although the inputs from tributaries such as will exhibit migration behavior akin to a true Tarryall Creek ameliorate these fluctuations steelhead strain (migrating from Cheesman more than in Segments A and B, they are, Reservoir upstream to spawn annually) is nevertheless, a significant influence. low (Gerlich, 1997).

2-48 ˜ Chapter 2 Fish population information is limited, limiting access on severely degraded roads, primarily due to the inaccessibility of the to control erosion. The result of this area. As part of the Two Forks study, two restricted access is a fishery experience in a fish sampling stations were located in this relatively undisturbed setting. Except in the segment, upstream and downstream of the Corral Creek area, this segment provides an confluence of Tarryall Creek. Sampling at opportunity to fish the river with little these stations revealed that both brown and contact with civilization. Roads and trails rainbow trout are self-sustaining in this area are rare, which limits the public’s access. As and constitute a healthy fishery. In addition, a result, fishing pressure in this segment is native longnose and white sucker probably lower than in any of the other populations are present. South Platte River study segments. When disasters (natural or manmade) eliminate or severely reduce the existing fish South Platte – Segment D populations or preclude the ability of the Habitat Characteristics.—This segment of fish to maintain self-sustaining populations, the South Platte River is located primarily in the CDOW has the authority to re-stock the a confined canyon, known as Cheesman stream or river with suitable numbers, Canyon. Although it is a relatively short species, and sizes of fish to re-build the fish segment, it contains probably the best community. The CDOW will continue to habitat in the study area (Chadwick and monitor the fishery over time and may Associates, 1986). The confined nature of discontinue stocking when self-sustaining the canyon and the abundance of exposed fish populations are re-established and/or bedrock and boulders provide excellent the instream habitat conditions improve. pool development and other habitats for Sampling in the spring of 2003 showed that both rainbow and brown trout. adult fish were present in this segment despite large inputs of sediment resulting Habitat for adult rainbow trout in this from the Hayman Fire of June 2002. The segment had the highest weighted usable CDOW will sample more intensively in the area (WUA) of habitat for any life stage of fall of 2003 to determine if stocking is trout. WUAs for all life stages of brown needed to boost populations. and rainbow trout were highest during the fall and winter months. Flows during this Infectivity levels here have not been actively period are moderate and relatively stable monitored, but it is assumed that the (Chadwick and Associates, 1986). Habitat segment is positive for whirling disease appears to be at a minimum during the since Segments A, B and D are known to be snowmelt runoff period, when velocities are positive. The fishery through this segment at their greatest. This trend was similar to is considered wild trout water, there is no those seen in the two previously described stocking, and the brown and rainbow trout segments. Nehring (1986) found a strong populations are self-sustaining. negative correlation between monthly discharge and rainbow and brown trout year Angler Use.—Angler use in this area has not class strength. Nehring concluded that been formally monitored. In part, this lack flows during May and June were critical for of information has been the result of the brown trout survival, while those of June difficulty in accessing this portion of the and July were the most critical for rainbow river. Access is limited to a relatively few trout. Recruitment during years with trails and primitive roads. The Forest moderate and relatively stable flows during Service and CDOW have made attempts at the spawning and rearing period produced

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-49

higher numbers of young and ultimately segment, with values documented at over higher adult biomass. As a result, increased 700 pounds per acre during the mid-1980s. flows during critical times of the year can The sustained high quality of the fishery in have a negative effect on the trout this segment has resulted in many articles in population in this section. (Nehring and local newspapers as well as books and Anderson, 1993) nationally distributed magazines. Nationwide, there are extremely few trout The releases from Cheesman Reservoir have fisheries that approach the population affected the flow levels as well as the dynamics of this segment. physio-chemical properties of the downstream environment. Unlike The Hayman Fire appears to have affected Elevenmile Reservoir, the flow releases rainbow and trout populations downstream from Cheesman Reservoir are from the from the confluence of the South Platte bottom of the dam, constituting a River and Wigwam Creek (Nehring, 2002). hypolimnetic release. This type of release Adult population parameters for both results in different water quality properties brown and rainbow trout were at all time than the Elevenmile Reservoir surface lows in the fall of 2002 at this site. Most release. By removing water at the bottom likely, this is due to the effects of flash flood of the reservoir, the receiving stream inputs from both Wigwam and Horse temperatures are more constant than would Creeks. However, rainbow trout statistics be expected in an unregulated stream. have been hovering at low levels since the Aquatic macroinvertebrate food sources are mid-1990s, due in large part to the modified greatly, typically becoming devastating effects of whirling disease. dominated by high densities of smaller organisms. Invertebrates that require The Hayman Fire, which began June 8, seasonal temperature changes to initiate 2002, appears to have had an effect on growth and metamorphosis typically survival of young-of-the-year (YOY) wild disappear soon after bottom releases are rainbow trout fry which hatch in late May initiated. and emerge from the gravel in mid-June. Given the extremely low levels of rainbow Fishery Management.—The Cheesman trout fry abundance in the fall of 2002, Canyon segment of the South Platte River is numbers of age-1 wild rainbow trout one of only a few stream segments in the juveniles in the fall of 2003 will likely be State designated “Gold Medal.” This is the almost non-existent. This is considered to highest classification given to a river be an aberration as a result of the fire, and segment or lake. These waters are managed future year classes should rebound. All year to maximize the outstanding qualities of the classes will continue to be monitored by river or lake. Specifically, a standing crop of CDOW for effects of sedimentation as well trout must exceed 40 pounds per acre, with as whirling disease. Conversely, brown at least 12 fish per acre being of quality size trout fry survival was quite good. This is (14 inches or greater). In addition, the river because brown trout fry hatch in February must have above average scenic quality and or March and begin emergence from the be wider than 20 feet. Fish populations in gravel in late-April to early May in the South the Cheesman Canyon segment have been Platte River corridor downstream of extensively studied (CDOW unpublished Cheesman Dam, thus escaping potential sampling result, 1986; Chadwick and lethal the effects of the fire—including Associates, 1986). Typically, rainbow trout sedimentation, rising water temperatures, biomass exceeds 300 pounds per acre in this and lower dissolved levels of oxygen.

2-50 ˜ Chapter 2 Whirling disease infections are present in good throughout this segment, and private this stretch of the river, but recorded land is scattered throughout its length. incidence has been low due to habitat less susceptible to tubifex worms. Habitat Characteristics.—As the river exits Cheesman Canyon, the river valley begins to Angler Use.—This segment of the river is widen. The stream gradient is relatively less; only accessible by foot, making it highly and although pools created from bedrock desirable to anglers pursuing a more and boulder outcrops are apparent, they are primitive fishing experience. The Gill Trail not as prevalent as in the steep canyon provides fast access from the lower portion upstream. The riparian area is more exten- of the canyon to near the base of Cheesman sive in this segment, and the river is wider. Dam. Fishing accessibility is good throughout the length of the canyon. Creel Habitat, in terms of WUA, is less in this census information collected from the section for all life stages of brown and CDOW during the mid 1980s indicates that rainbow trout than in the Cheesman this segment of the South Platte River Canyon segment (Segment D) (Chadwick receives heavy fishing use. Total fishing use and Associates, 1986). However, brown approached 13,000 hours of angling use in trout spawning habitat appears to be higher June, and more than 53,000 angler hours in this segment. Adult rainbow trout habitat were spent during the April through appears to be higher in this segment than in September sampling period. During this Segments A, B, or C, and values for all life- time period, more than 59,000 trout were stages of brown trout appear to be at least caught, for a catch rate in excess of 1.1 trout as high in this segment as in the other three per hour. These statistics are higher than South Platte segments. those for any of the other areas sampled Sedimentation, a result of erosion from during the same time period in the segments adjacent roads and tributaries, appears to be being studied, and the sustained catch rate is limiting this segment. Historic road especially high considering the intensive use maintenance of the adjacent County in this segment. Road 533 has contributed excessive The fishing is quite challenging in this amounts of sediment in this segment. segment and is limited to artificial lures However, recent paving efforts by Jefferson only. As a result, there are several and Douglas Counties, as well as travel successful guiding services permitted each management by several cooperators, have year for angling excursions to this segment. resulted in a considerable decrease in sediment.

South Platte – Segment E Fishery Management.—This segment of the South Platte River is also managed with This segment of the South Platte River special regulations, although it is not constitutes a diverse section of the river, considered a Gold Medal section by the from the standpoint of habitat, manage- CDOW. However, the special regulations ment, and angler experience. Beginning at in place are restrictive and are designed to the Forest Service boundary, the river maintain a high quality fishery. Prior to this passes through the privately owned Wig- regulation, the vast majority of trout in this wam Club and then enters a relatively wide segment were less than 3 years of age valley, which ultimately affects the char- (Nehring and Anderson, 1983). Indeed, acteristics of the river. Highway access is trout biomass in this segment was typically less than 10 percent of that in the Cheesman

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-51

Canyon segment. Although habitat in this September. Approximately 34,000 trout segment appears to be less than in were caught, with a total catch rate of Segments A, B, and C, Nehring and 0.78 trout per hour. Catch rates for brown Anderson attributed part of the reduced and rainbow trout were identical, which is trout population to angling pressure. After considerably different from Segment D, special regulations were implemented in which had a much higher catch rate for 1983, extensive monitoring was conducted rainbow trout. to determine their effectiveness. Nehring (1986) found that the implementation of Creel information for the Scraggy View to special regulations in the Deckers area Twin Cedars area during the same time resulted in a dramatic increase of the period revealed that an estimated rainbow trout population there. Near the 38,000 angling hours were spent on this downstream portion of this segment, where section during the same time period. more liberal fishing regulations are in effect, Although this estimate is slightly lower than brown trout still comprised over 80 percent that for the previously discussed section, it of the trout captured by Nehring and should be noted that the area analyzed was Anderson. considerably longer. As a result, it appears that during the sampling period there was The Wigwam Club is not open to the public considerably less pressure in this and is managed as a trophy fishery for its downstream section of Segment E. A total members. Stocking does occur in this of 41,000 trout were caught during the segment, and biomass estimates approach sampling period in this section, for a catch levels seen in Cheesman Canyon. rate of 1.09 trout per hour. This higher catch rate could be attributed to the fact Spores that cause whirling disease are that hatchery reared trout were planted in present in this segment, and infectivity has this section of the river during the creel been slightly higher than in Cheesman census period. Indeed, the rainbow trout Canyon since sediment loading increases catch rate was almost four times the catch downstream. Stocking larger fish has rate for brown trout in this section, showing reduced mortality resulting from the disease the vulnerability of these fish to anglers. and reduced continued spread.

Angler Use.—This segment of the South North Fork – Segment H1 Platte River is easily accessible to the large For all segments on the North Fork, H1, population centers along the Front Range of H2, and H3, the worms that carry the Colorado. County Roads 67 and 97 are spores that cause whirling disease are adjacent to the river throughout its length, present in these stretches, but little with camping, parking, and picnic areas information is available on infectivity levels. available throughout its length. Although Rainbow trout are stocked when greater there is some private property along this than 5 inches in length, and browns segment, the majority of the river is open to dominate the stretch. public angling. Habitat Characteristics.—The North Fork Creel census data collected by the CDOW of the South Platte River is considerably in 1986 indicate that angling pressure was smaller than the segments addressed for the relatively high during the summer of that South Platte River. Originating on the year. More than 43,000 hours of angling south side of Mount Evans, the river passes were estimated for this relatively short the town of Bailey and enters the study section of stream from April through

2-52 ˜ Chapter 2 segment downstream. This segment has a the segment. The private landowners may relatively low gradient and, typically, a gravel plant fish or may be conducting habitat and cobble substrate. Riparian vegetation improvement projects in this segment. consists primarily of willows, with grasses However, this information was not available and sedges interspersed. Pools are for this analysis. associated mainly with lateral migration of the stream channel and manmade check Angler Use.—Because this segment is dams. Although some boulders provide located on private land, there is no cover, this segment is dominated by riffle information on angler use. No public habitat, which is typically considered fishing access is available for this segment. marginal. Because this segment is located on private land, there is little current fishery North Fork – Segment H2 habitat inventory data available for Habitat Characteristics.—This segment is reference. The stream in this segment located in a relatively steep canyon, which averages approximately 30 feet wide, and it has a higher gradient than the previous averages 1.0 foot deep during low flows segment discussed. As a result of the steep (Chadwick and Associates, 1986). topography, access is limited; and little Streamflow in this segment is modified by information is available about the habitat water delivered from the western slope conditions. Information from other through the Roberts Tunnel. These sections of the North Fork and from the imported flows have been known to South Platte suggests that this section increase the discharge in the river should have abundant boulders and considerably. Adult rainbow trout habitat associated habitat. Indeed, evaluation of was measured to be the highest amount of aerial photographs indicates that the habitat in this portion of the river, based on substrate in this segment contains IFIM analysis (Chadwick and Associates, considerable boulders and bedrock 1986). All habitats for rainbow as well as outcrops. The best fisheries in the South brown trout declined dramatically after Platte (Cheesman Canyon, Elevenmile April and started to increase again after Canyon) are found in areas of this type. June. This trend can be related to increased The higher gradient generally results in discharges during the summer months from greater scouring of pools and deposition of the snowmelt runoff and water smaller amounts of fine sand and gravel. augmentation from the Roberts Tunnel. The presence of boulders and bedrock would increase the number of pools, which Fishery Management.—Sampling results provide good trout cover. Based on indicate that there are cutthroat, brown, information from other segments in the brook, and rainbow trout and longnose study area and aerial photographs, this suckers in this segment (CDOW segment probably represents the best trout unpublished results, 1986; Chadwick and habitat in the study area on the North Fork. Associates, 1986). Brown trout dominate the density and biomass of trout in this Streamflow in this segment is modified by segment and are apparently self-sustaining. water delivered from the western slope Rainbow trout are present primarily as a through the Roberts Tunnel. These result of stocking efforts. Although the imported flows increase the discharge of the CDOW plants rainbow trout both upstream river considerably. Adult rainbow trout and downstream of this segment, they do habitat was measured to be the highest not plant trout within the private areas of amount of habitat in this portion of the

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-53

river, based on IFIM analysis (Chadwick Angler Use.—Because this segment is and Associates, 1986). All habitats for relatively inaccessible, fishing is limited to a rainbow as well as brown trout habitat “walk-in” type experience. Relatively few declined dramatically after April and started segments of the North Fork corridor to increase again after June. This trend can provide this type of fishing experience, be related to increased discharges during the which is a more secluded, pristine summer months from the snowmelt runoff experience than is found in most other and water augmentation from the Roberts portions of the river. Use is light. Tunnel. In terms of habitat conditions related to flow, the difference between this North Fork – Segment H3 segment and Segments A and B is the presence of pools and other deep-water Habitat Characteristics.—This segment of habitats associated with the boulder the North Fork of the South Platte River substrates. These provide refuges in which encompasses a variety of habitats, from the trout can avoid high-velocity conditions. steep, boulder-dominated areas, to relatively As a result, considerably more suitable low gradient gravel substrate stretches. habitat is preserved during high flows, when Because roads parallel the river through habitat is generally at a minimum. most of this segment, the channel is constricted, and riprap is abundant between Fishery Management.—Only minimal stream the road and the stream. The unpaved enhancement work has been done on this roadway that parallels the river downstream segment. This is not surprising considering from the town of Bailey results in the rugged nature of the canyon, the poor considerable sedimentation. In addition, access, and the large boulders in the riparian vegetation is poorly developed channel. In addition, it appears that trout along most of this segment, primarily a habitat is relatively good compared to other result of the encroachment of the adjacent reaches in the river. Based on knowledge of road. preferred trout habitat in the South Platte River system, this boulder-dominated Streamflow in this segment is modified by segment of the river probably provides water delivered from the western slope some of the highest quality habitat in the through the Roberts Tunnel. These North Fork. imported flows increase the discharge of the river considerably. Adult rainbow trout Due to the inaccessibility of this section of habitat was measured to be the most river, there is no fish stocking in this abundant sort of habitat in this portion of segment. As a result, the fishery is most the river, based on IFIM analysis (Chadwick likely dominated by a self-sustaining brown and Associates, 1986). All habitats for both trout population. Hatchery reared rainbow rainbow and brown trout declined trout may migrate into the segment from dramatically after April and started to upstream, and there may be some residual increase again after June. This trend can be brook trout in the reach. However, it is related to increased discharges during the doubtful that they comprise more than a summer months from the snowmelt runoff fraction of the biomass or density of fish and water augmentation from the Roberts found in this segment. Basically, this Tunnel. segment is managed as a wild trout fishery by the CDOW, although no special Fishery Management.—A self-sustaining regulations have been implemented. brown trout populations dominates this segment (Chadwick and Associates, 1986

2-54 ˜ Chapter 2 and 1997; CDOW, 1986). Biomass values affected by the preferred alternative. typically are greater than 30 pounds per Table 2-13 lists these species. acre, while rainbow trout typically compose less than 5 percent of the total biomass. Many other wildlife species such as mule Brook trout are apparently absent or very deer, black bear, Rocky Mountain bighorn rare in this segment and longnose, and/or sheep, and mountain lion are found along white suckers are common. the river corridor. Several species of raptors use the corridor for foraging or nesting, The CDOW typically supplements the including golden eagles, prairie falcon, and brown trout population with thousands of osprey. Waterfowl are also common in the catchable rainbow trout every year. corridor, as are smaller birds, mammals, Different species and strains of trout are reptiles, and amphibians. Approximately stocked; but, typically, the management is 75 percent of the wildlife species known to geared toward a “put and take” type of occur in Colorado are dependent on riparian rainbow trout fishery. areas during all or a portion of their life cycles (National Diversity Information Angler Use.—No formal creel census Source [NDIS], 2001). information is available for this section. Access to public land is good in this The study area contains a diverse mix of segment. However, there is a considerable vegetation types important to wildlife for amount of private land that is not available foraging, resting, and breeding. These to the public. Informal creel census include wetland and riparian habitat information collected by the CDOW (2,215 acres), grass-forb (310 acres), shrub- indicates that the majority of people fishing seedling (220 acres), and forested structural in the segment are residents of Colorado, stages (17,060 acres). The study area also and catch rates are typically less than 0.5 fish contains important special habitat features per hour. Hatchery reared rainbow trout for wildlife such as large rock outcrops and make up the majority of the fish caught, snags, which are used by many avian species with brown trout contributing less than for breeding and roosting. Approximately 25 percent of the catch. 3,400 acres of the study area burned in the Hayman Fire, primarily under low and moderate burn severities. Several assessments are underway to determine the 2.14 WILDLIFE effect of the fire on wildlife habitats and populations. On the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, there are approximately 375 species On an ecosystem scale, the river provides a of mammals, birds, reptiles, and path for the flow of organisms through the amphibians. While not all of these species various wildlife habitat types. It provides can be found in the study area, many of outputs such as food, cover, and nest sites. them are likely to occur on a seasonal or It connects different patches of habitat and year-round basis. allows animals to travel from site to site. This analysis will focus on federally listed Wildlife in the study area is used both species (threatened, endangered, and consumptively and non-consumptively. proposed), Forest Service sensitive species, Several of the common mammal species and management indicator species that are found in the corridor are hunted, with the likely to occur in the study area and may be exception of bighorn sheep. Less than 1 percent of the statewide mule deer and elk

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-55

Table 2-13.—Species Considered in the Analysis, with Federal Status and Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) Rank Federal CNHP Species Status1 Rank2 Northern leopard frog Rana pipiens S G5S3 Tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum S G5S5 Western (boreal) toad Bufo boreas boreas C, S G4T1QS1 Bald eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus T G4S1BS3N Flammulated owl Otus flammeolus S G4S4 Fox sparrow Passerella iliaca S G5S4BSZN Golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa S G5S4 Goshawk Accipiter gentiles S G5S3BSZN Lewis’ woodpecker Melanerpes lewis S G4S4 Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis lucida T G3T3S1BSUN Mountain bluebird Sialia currucoides MIS G5S5 Olive-sided flycatcher Contopus cooperi S G4S3S4B Osprey Pandion haliaetus S G5S3BSZN Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus MIS G4S2BSZN Pygmy nuthatch Sitta pygmaea S G5S4 Three-toed woodpecker Picoides tridactylus S G5S3S4 Wilson’s warbler Wilsonia pusilla MIS G5S4BSZN Pawnee montane skipper Hesperia leonardus Montana T G4T1S1 Abert’s squirrel Sciurus aberti MIS G5S5 Dwarf shrew Sorex nanus S G4S2 North American wolverine Gulo gulo luscus C, S G4T4S1 Preble’s jumping mouse Zapus hudsonicus preblei T G5T2S1 Ringtail Bassaricus astutus S G5S4 Townsend’s big-eared bat Plecotus townsendii S G4S2 Botrychium lineare C,S G1S1 Carex livida S G5S1 Draba smithii S G2S2 Machaeranthera coloradoensis S G5S2 Malaxis brachyopoda S G4QS1 Mimulus gemmiparus S G2S2 Primula egaliksensis S G4S2 Potentilla rupincola S G5?T2S2 Ptilagrostis monogholica ssp porteri S G3G5T2S2 Rubus acticus ssp. acaulis S G5T5S1 Spiranthes diluvialis T G2S2 Viola selkirkii S G5S1 1 Federal Status: E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate; S = U.S. Forest Service, Region 2 Sensitive; MIS = Management Indicator Species. 2 CNHP Rank: Rare species tracked by CNHP: (G)lobal and (S)tate ranking range from 1 = Critically Imperiled to 5 = Demonstrably Secure. (T)rinomial rank indicates subspecies or varieties. See CNHP 2002 for more detail.

2-56 ˜ Chapter 2 harvest occurs in the study area and likely Region 2 Supplement 2600-94-2 to guide less than 4 percent of the annual statewide habitat management for sensitive species. small game harvest (Mason, CDOW, personal communication, 1996). Non- Sensitive species include those plants and consumptive use of wildlife is important for animals that are declining in either numbers many Coloradans. High proportions or occurrences, species whose habitat is (63 percent) consider wildlife viewing a very declining, or species whose population or important part of their recreation activities, habitat is limited (FSM 2600-94-2). The and 33 percent take trips specifically to study area provides potential habitat for photograph, feed, or observe birds or other 27 sensitive species (table 2-13). wildlife (Colorado State University, CDOW, 1993). The chance to see certain animals, MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES such as eagles, rare or endangered species, and bighorn sheep, is extremely important The National Forest Management Act of to people when deciding to take a trip to 1976 directs the Forest Service to provide view wildlife (Manfredo et al., 1991). for the maintenance of viable populations National Forests are one of the primary of native and desired non-native vertebrate locales (25.6 percent) for participating in species. Twenty species were identified as non-consumptive wildlife activities management indicator species (MIS) in the (Standage, Accureach, Inc., 1990). PSICC Land and Resource Management Plan to represent the various habitats that occur in the forest. In this study, Albert’s squirrel is THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND the MIS selected for mature ponderosa pine PROPOSED SPECIES forest, Wilson’s warbler represents riparian The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as habitat, the mountain bluebird represents amended, provides Federal protection for forest meadow habitat, and the peregrine threatened and endangered species and their falcon represents rock features. critical habitats. As a land managing agency, the Forest Service makes many decisions SEGMENT DELINEATION that affect wildlife resources. The act directs the Forest Service to ensure that its The following text describes the distribution actions are not likely to jeopardize the of wildlife habitat in each of the seven river continued existence of any proposed, segments. Occurrences of threatened, endangered or threatened species or result endangered, and sensitive species and other in the destruction or adverse modification notable wildlife species are also discussed. of critical habitat (16 USC 1536(a)(2)). The study area provides potential habitat for five South Platte – Segments A and B federally listed species. These are the Habitat Features.—This segment of the Pawnee montane skipper, Preble’s meadow South Platte River begins as a rocky canyon jumping mouse, bald eagle, Mexican spotted below Elevenmile Dam. Riparian owl, and Ute ladies’ tresses orchid. vegetation, primarily willow thickets, occurs in a narrow band adjacent to the river and FOREST SERVICE SENSITIVE SPECIES along the tributary streams. Wetland vegetation, more common after the river The Forest Service has established direction exits Elevenmile Canyon, can typically be in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2670 and in found on the floodplain above the river. Both north- and south-facing slopes contain

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-57

a mixed-conifer forest of ponderosa pine 11 sensitive plants. Although specific and Douglas fir. In Elevenmile Canyon, locations for these species are unknown at much of the Douglas fir is dead from insect this time, suitable habitat exists within this outbreaks. The upper and lower portions of river segment. this segment contain prominent rocky outcrops suitable for nesting raptors. South Platte – Segment C Approximately 520 acres of Segment B burned in the Hayman Fire, primarily under Habitat Features.—This segment of the low burn severities. South Platte River is fairly confined within a canyon. Riparian vegetation, primarily Wildlife Occurrences.—The Colorado willow thickets, occurs in a narrow band Division of Wildlife records the use of adjacent to the river and along the tributary Elevenmile Canyon by golden eagles and streams of Corral Creek and Tarryall Creek. prairie falcons (Craig, CDOW, personal Benches of willow and wetland vegetation communication, 1996). No nest sites have can typically be found on the floodplain been located. above the river. Both north- and south- facing slopes contain a mixed-conifer forest Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Massive Species Occurrences.—A bald eagle winter rock formations dominate the lower portion communal roost site is located along the of this segment. Approximately 2,270 acres South Platte River north of Lake George of this segment burned in the Hayman Fire (Public Service Company of Colorado, under high, moderate, and low burn 1993). severities. Three sensitive species are known to occur Wildlife Occurrences.—Golden eagles have in this segment. A flammulated owl nest used the area in the recent past. The south- was located in the downstream portion of facing slopes are considered severe winter this segment (Public Service Company of range and winter concentration areas for Colorado, 1993). The buffer zone mule deer (NDIS, 2001). established around the nest site overlaps with the study area. Osprey sightings have Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive been recorded around the Lake George Species Occurrences.—The federally listed area, and approximately 2.5 river miles of Pawnee montane skipper is known to occur this segment are included within the in this segment in the vicinity of Corral osprey’s distribution area (Public Service Creek. This threatened species has a Company of Colorado, 1993). Northern restricted range along the mainstem of the leopard frogs have been recorded in the South Platte River and the North Fork of river and in small ponds adjacent to the the South Platte. The northeast limit of the river in this segment (Howard, Forest ponderosa pine/blue grama grass Service, personnel communication, 1996). community overlaps with the southwestern limit of the prairie gayfeather (Liatris Other Region 2 sensitive species that may punctata) to create suitable habitat for the occur in this segment include the tiger Pawnee montane skipper. Optimum salamander, fox sparrow, golden-crowned features of its habitat include open kinglet, goshawk, Lewis’ woodpecker, olive- ponderosa pine stands with a canopy sided flycatcher, pygmy nuthatch, three-toed closure of 30 percent, shrub and grass cover woodpecker, common loon, dwarf shrew, generally less than 10 percent, and the North American wolverine, ringtail, presence of prairie gayfeather and blue Townsend’s big-eared bat, and all

2-58 ˜ Chapter 2 grama in specific densities. Skipper habitat rock outcrops occur throughout the canyon. in this segment is limited compared to other Approximately 230 acres of this segment river segments. burned in the Hayman Fire primarily under low burn severities. The bald eagle, a threatened species, may also occur in this segment. Winter Wildlife Occurrences.—Severe winter range concentration areas for this species are for mule deer is present throughout this found both upstream and downstream. It is segment. likely that the eagle forages along this segment of the South Platte River, Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive particularly in the lower portion that flows Species Occurrences.—The federally listed into Cheesman Reservoir. Pawnee montane skipper is known to occur in this segment (Environmental Research & Suitable habitat exists for the Preble’s Technology, Inc. [ERT], 1986). This meadow jumping mouse, but it has not been threatened species has a restricted range recorded here. along both the North Fork and the mainstem of the South Platte Rivers. There The goshawk is a Region 2 sensitive species are 230 acres of skipper habitat in this river known to occur in the study area. The segment. goshawk inhabits montane areas of coniferous, deciduous, and mixed forests. A The bald eagle, a threatened species, also foraging area created around a known nest occurs in this segment. Cheesman site overlaps with the study area (Public Reservoir is a winter concentration area, and Service Company of Colorado, 1993). the eagles are often seen in Cheesman Canyon. The combination of an abundant, Other Region 2 sensitive species that may readily available food supply with one or occur in this segment include the northern more suitable night roost sites is the primary leopard frog, tiger salamander, flammulated characteristic of winter habitat (USACE, owl, fox sparrow, golden-crowned kinglet, 1988). Lewis’ woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher, osprey, pygmy nuthatch, three-toed Region 2 sensitive species that may occur in woodpecker, dwarf shrew, ringtail, this segment include the northern leopard Townsend’s big-eared bat, Malaxis frog, tiger salamander, flammulated owl, fox brachypoda and Potentilla rupincola. Although sparrow, golden-crowned kinglet, goshawk, specific locations for these species are Lewis’ woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher, unknown at this time, suitable habitat does osprey, pygmy nuthatch, three-toed exist within this river segment. woodpecker, dwarf shrew, ringtail, and Townsend’s big-eared bat. Although South Platte – Segment D specific locations for these species are unknown at this time, suitable habitat does Habitat Features.—This segment is also exist within this river segment. within a confined, steep-sided, rocky canyon. Patches of willow thickets, wet South Platte – Segment E meadows, and other wetland types do occur; but they are more limited because of the Habitat Features.—This segment of the abundance of bedrock and boulders along river is predominantly a wide valley with the stream banks. Both north- and south- diverse wildlife habitats. The Two Forks facing slopes contain a mixed-conifer forest study identified an abundance of willow of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Large thickets, willow-sedge, cottonwood-willow,

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-59

and other wetlands types along the river closure of 30 percent, shrub and grass cover corridor and tributary streams (USACE, generally less than 10 percent, and the 1988). The upland provides grass-forb, presence of prairie gayfeather and blue shrub seedling, and forested stages of grama in specific densities (ERT, 1986). ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest. The Pawnee montane skipper’s existence in Dominant rock features that provide this extremely limited and specialized area nesting habitat also occur in this segment. accentuates the ecological precariousness of Approximately 373 acres of this segment the skipper (EPA, 1990). There are burned in the Hayman Fire primarily under 2,605 acres of skipper habitat within this low burn severities. segment.

Wildlife Occurrences.—Noteworthy wildlife The Preble’s meadow jumping mouse was records include active prairie falcon eyries located in this segment in 1999. Bald eagles on dominant rock outcrops, severe winter are known to use this segment for winter range for mule deer throughout this foraging and roosting, and potential habitat segment, turkey concentration areas on the exists for the Ute ladies tresses orchid. This eastern portion of the segment, and Rocky segment is within the boundary of Mountain bighorn sheep overall habitat in designated critical habitat for the Mexican the lowermost portion of this segment spotted owl. (NDIS, 2001). The osprey, a Region 2 sensitive species, is Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive found in this segment during spring and fall Species Occurrences.—The federally migrations. The osprey will often remain in threatened Pawnee montane skipper is the area for several days feeding along the known to occur in this segment. The river corridor. skipper has a restricted range, occupying an area (although not necessarily all the Other Region 2 sensitive species that may available habitat within it) roughly 23 miles occur in this segment include the northern long and 5 miles wide. It occurs along the leopard frog, tiger salamander, flammulated mainstem of the South Platte River for owl, fox sparrow, golden-crowned kinglet, approximately 20 miles and along the North goshawk, Lewis’ woodpecker, olive-sided Fork of the South Platte for approximately flycatcher, pygmy nuthatch, three-toed 15 miles upstream from their confluence to woodpecker, dwarf shrew, ringtail, and Cheesman Reservoir and to Crossons, Townsend’s big-eared bat. Although respectively. The present range covers specific locations for these species are approximately 38 square miles (ERT, 1986). unknown at this time, suitable habitat does The skipper’s habitat forms a continuous exist within this river segment. band along the mainstem of the South Platte River and the North Fork and North Fork – Segment H1 includes the Buffalo Creek and Horse Creek Habitat Features.—In this short segment, tributaries. The northeast limit of the the North Fork of the South Platte runs ponderosa pine/blue grama grass through a wide river valley. Willow thickets community overlaps with the southwestern and other wetland types are common in this limit of the prairie gayfeather (Liatris segment, and cottonwood-willow habitat punctata) to create suitable habitat for the occurs occasionally. The side slopes are Pawnee montane skipper. Optimum forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, features of its habitat include open and stands of lodgepole pine. ponderosa pine stands with a canopy

2-60 ˜ Chapter 2 Wildlife Occurrences.—This segment Lewis’ woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher, provides severe winter range for mule deer. osprey, pygmy nuthatch, three-toed woodpecker, dwarf shrew, ringtail, Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Townsend’s big-eared bat, Malaxis Species Occurrences.—Suitable habitat exists brachypoda and Potentilla rupincola Although in this segment for the Preble’s meadow specific locations for these species are jumping mouse, but it has not been unknown at this time, suitable habitat does recorded here. exist within this river segment. Region 2 sensitive species that may occur in this segment include the northern leopard North Fork – Segment H3 frog, tiger salamander, boreal toad, Habitat Features.—This segment of the flammulated owl, fox sparrow, golden- river includes both a wide valley section crowned kinglet, goshawk, Lewis’ with diverse wildlife habitats and a narrower woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher, osprey, canyon section with roaded access. The pygmy nuthatch, three-toed woodpecker, Two Forks study identified an abundance of dwarf shrew, ringtail, Townsend’s big-eared willow thickets, willow-sedge, cottonwood- bat, Malaxis brachypoda and Potentilla rupincola. willow, and other wetland types along the Although specific locations for these species river corridor and tributary streams in the are unknown at this time, suitable habitat upper portion of this segment (USACE, does exist within this river segment. 1988a). In the lower portion of this segment, the willow component is severely North Fork – Segment H2 reduced, and other wetland types dominate. Habitat Features.—Because of the narrow The upland habitat provides grass-forb, canyon structure in this segment, the shrub-seedling, and mature stages of riparian and wetland components are much ponderosa pine–Douglas fir forest. reduced, limited to a few areas of willow Dominant rock features that provide thickets and cottonwood-willow habitat. A nesting habitat also occur in this segment. closed-canopy Douglas fir forest dominates Wildlife Occurrences.—The entire length of the north-facing slope, and the south-facing this segment provides severe winter range slope is mixed ponderosa pine and Douglas for mule deer. A golden eagle nest site has fir. Several large rock outcrops are in the been recorded in this segment. canyon. Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Wildlife Occurrences.—This segment Species Occurrences.—There are provides severe winter range for mule deer, approximately 2,110 acres of Pawnee especially on the south-facing slopes. montane skipper habitat in this segment. Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive There is potential habitat for Preble’s Species Occurrences.—Suitable habitat exists meadow jumping mouse and Ute ladies in this segment for the Preble’s meadow tresses orchid. The segment is also within jumping mouse, but it has not been designated critical habitat for the Mexican recorded here. spotted owl. Region 2 sensitive species that may occur in Region 2 sensitive species that may occur in this segment include the northern leopard this segment include the northern leopard frog, tiger salamander, flammulated owl, fox frog, tiger salamander, flammulated owl, fox sparrow, golden-crowned kinglet, goshawk, sparrow, golden-crowned kinglet, goshawk, Lewis’ woodpecker, olive-sided flycatcher,

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-61

osprey, pygmy nuthatch, three-toed between Lake George and Cheesman woodpecker, dwarf shrew, ringtail, and Reservoir, and 6 miles on the South Platte Townsend’s big-eared bat. Although from Reservoir Campground to Riverside specific locations for these species are Campground in Elevenmile Canyon. More unknown at this time, suitable habitat does than 12,000 kayakers and canoeists use the exist within this river segment. South Platte River and the North Fork each year. This represents 70 percent of the river boating activity in the Pike National Forest and .02% of total whitewater use in 2.15 RECREATION Colorado (Griswold, 1997). The study area offers a broad range of whitewater boating SUMMARY conditions, from Class I to Class V (International Scale of Difficulty). The With flows exceeding 200,000 acre-feet a whitewater boating opportunity is especially year, the South Platte River is one of the significant because the area provides river three largest rivers on Colorado’s eastern sections that are suitable for teaching and slope. Its large river canyons, leading to the practicing boating skills and is close to the plains, represent a limited recreational Denver metropolitan area. The North Fork resource. Good access, predominantly is considered an important kayak area within public ownership, high-quality fishing, and a the region due to its difficulty and due to diversity of other recreation opportunities in late-season releases from the Roberts close proximity to a large metropolitan area Tunnel, which extend the length of the characterize the South Platte. kayaking season. The gentle stream gradients, level areas, Much of the popularity of this area is due to vegetation patterns, and scenic quality along its unique capability to accommodate a wide the river enhance recreation activities. variety of recreation activities in one These activities include camping, picnicking, location. This diversity of recreation fishing and fly fishing, swimming, tubing, opportunities within the project study area sunbathing, motorcycling, sightseeing, rock contributes significantly to the popularity climbing, and organized activities such as and uniqueness of the area. volleyball and horseshoes. The majority of these are day-use activities and are related to the presence of the river either directly (as RECREATION FACILITIES for boating, tubing, and fishing) or indirectly Developed recreation facilities in the study (as for sightseeing). Designated parking area are concentrated in Elevenmile Canyon areas and developed campgrounds are also and from Wigwam Creek downstream to important to activities such as hiking and the confluence. Public developed recreation motorcycling in adjacent areas, which are facilities in the study corridor include only marginally related to the river resource. 10 National Forest campgrounds with a The study area includes more than 50 miles combined capacity of 975 persons. Most of of discontinuous water suitable for the facilities are managed by concessionaires whitewater boating, tubing, and water play. under special use permits. Twelve other This includes approximately 11 miles of the campgrounds within a half-hour’s drive of North Fork between Bailey and Pine, the river can accommodate another 5 miles near Foxton, 15 miles on the South 2,400 people, although three of these Platte from Deckers to the backwaters of campgrounds were closed due to fire and Strontia Springs Reservoir, 13 miles flood damage in 1996. In addition to the

2-62 ˜ Chapter 2 campsites on the South Platte, there are organizations, do public service projects on seven developed picnic areas and numerous the river each year. Other service groups, trailheads and parking sites. Private such as Trout Unlimited, also do yearly recreational facilities in the study corridor projects designed to protect and enhance include private resorts, two private fishing the river while promoting their clubs, a YMCA camp, and a private organizations. Trout Unlimited also holds campground. its annual “Masterfly” fishing event in Cheesman Canyon. The Paralyzed Veterans The area has long been popular as a site for of America provides recreation summer homes. There are several hundred opportunities for senior citizens and private residences in the study corridor. mentally challenged youths as well as for its Some of these are still used primarily as own members on an annual basis. summer homes, although many other former summer homes have now become Commercial recreation services in the study year-round residences. corridor include eight companies permitted by the Forest Service to conduct guided fly There are 29 recreation residences in four fishing trips and instruction. Guided fishing summer home groups under special use activities occur primarily below Cheesman permit on National Forest lands in the study Dam and in the Elevenmile Canyon area. corridor. Eight summer homes are located The Forest Service also receives many in Elevenmile Canyon, and 21 are located applications for new permits for guided along the South Platte in three summer fishing on the South Platte. Several other home groups near Nighthawk, Lazy Gulch, permitted companies, or nearby church and and Shadybrook. organization camps, offer tubing, horseback riding, hiking, and other activities, although OTHER RECREATION there are no commercial rafting or kayaking OPPORTUNITIES operations. Rock climbing is a popular activity in the The study area includes portions of two area. A published climbers’ guide (Hubbel significant trail systems. Several motorized and Rolofson, 1988) is devoted specifically (motorcycle) trails reach into the corridor to the South Platte and the North Fork. between Deckers and the confluence. Although many of the climbs associated These trails are part of the extensive with the South Platte River are outside the Rampart Range Motorcycle Area. The half-mile-wide river corridor, the access Colorado Trail, which runs from Denver to points for these climbs are within the Durango, crosses the river corridor near the corridor. Primary climbing routes in or near confluence. In 1996, the Buffalo Creek the study area include Top of the World, flood destroyed a bridge on the North Fork Malay Archipelago, Elevenmile Canyon, and belonging to the Denver Water Department Noddle Heads. The available data are that was used for access to the Colorado insufficient to allow an assessment of how Trail. The Forest Service has requested the rock climbing values in this area funds to replace the bridge. compare with those of other rock climbing areas in the region. Special user groups play a large part in the use and management of the South Platte River. Youth groups, such as scouting

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-63

RECREATION USE AND TRENDS — The placement and maintenance of portable rest rooms by Denver The Pike and San Isabel National Forests Water; rank 8th of 113 National Forests in terms of visitor use, with 7.3 million recreation — Improved signage, through the joint visitor days (RVDs) in 1996. Typical of efforts of all cooperating agencies, many “urban National Forests,” this area directing visitors to recreation sites experiences intense day use, usage that and informing them of regulations; peaks strongly on weekends and holidays, — The closure and revegetation of and many activities that are not “traditional” many erosion-prone parking areas forest recreation. Much of the use is and dispersed campsites, and strongly motivated by a desire to escape from the city, relax, enjoy nature, and — Agreements with county law socialize. enforcement agencies. Changes in the management of parking and These efforts have resulted in improved camping and more intensive law scenery, more pleasant and secure recreation enforcement along the North Fork experiences, a major reduction in erosion, (Segment H) and the South Platte River and protection of riparian areas and values (Segment E), initiated in 1992, have led to a from overuse. resurgence of interest in the area by families, fly fishing enthusiasts, and others who had Changes in management of the Elevenmile previously avoided the area’s crowding and Canyon area (Segment A) have also conflicts. These management actions are accomplished similar results. In 1995, the the result of a major cooperative effort Forest Service developed a management between the Forest Service, Denver Water, plan, which set up the Elevenmile Canyon the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Ecosystem Management Project. The Douglas and Jefferson County Sheriffs. purpose of the project is to enhance the Management actions include regulations quality of recreational experiences and to that: reduce resource damage in the area. Resource improvements include — Prohibit overnight use in the area revegetation, erosion control, and the from Nighthawk to the confluence improvement of fisheries, campgrounds, on the mainstem and from Buffalo picnic areas, trails, fishing access sites, roads, Creek to the confluence on the parking, interpretation, and information North Fork, facilities. Management actions include regulations which require payment of a — Allow parking and camping in parking fee before entering the area, allow designated areas only, camping in designated areas only, allow fires — Allow fires in designated fire rings in existing metal fire rings only, and allow only, and no firearms use. — Discourage firearms use. Use of the South Platte River area and adjacent uplands has increased 3-4 percent Additional improvements included: annually during the past decade and was estimated at 1,650,000 RVDs in 1995. In — The development of several 1984, recreation use of the smaller study camping areas by the Forest Service; area associated with the proposed Two

2-64 ˜ Chapter 2 Forks reservoir, which excluded Elevenmile environment but still have a pastoral Canyon, was estimated at 317,000 RVDs. character. High-quality transportation and other facilities and obvious residential and Usage has increased in concert with rapid even commercial development are apparent. population growth in the Denver These areas provide recreation experiences metropolitan area and surrounding counties, in which socialization with others is particularly Douglas County. New residents important, contact with other visitors is moving to the area tend to be young, active, common, and visitors generally do not seek and reasonably affluent, giving rise to a a high degree of risk or wish to practice self- disproportionate increase in demand for reliance. Management controls such as “active” sports, dispersed activities regulations, signs, and enforcement patrols (particularly involving sport utility vehicles are obvious and extensive. Developed and other motorized equipment), and recreation facilities in this part of the study activities that tend to require expensive or area include four National Forest “high tech” equipment (from mountain campgrounds between the Wigwam Club bicycles to graphite fly rods). and Strontia Springs Reservoir, with a Angling is a major use of the river in combined capacity of more than Elevenmile Canyon and from Cheesman 520 people. In addition, there are three Dam downstream and is a clue to the area’s developed picnic areas that can overall popularity and recreation use accommodate as many as 56 people at one intensity. These areas typically receive 1,500 time. to 4,000 angling hours per mile of stream The South Platte below Twin Cedars to the annually; and some locations, such as confluence, Elevenmile Canyon Cheesman Canyon, may see as many as downstream to Vermillion Creek (north of 17,000 angling hours per mile. Catch rates, Lake George), and the North Fork are due mainly to catch and release regulations classified as “roaded natural,” which means and other restrictions, are as high as 1.2 fish the area retains a generally natural per hour in some parts of the river. (For appearance but has a variety of scattered comparison, at the time of its designation as developments, roads for conventional a Wild and Scenic River, the Cache La vehicles, and other modifications. The Poudre River was receiving 1,500 to social environment typically results in 4,800 angling hours per mile depending on frequent encounters between groups. location.) It is estimated that 11,400 anglers Facilities are designed for structured fished Cheesman Canyon in 1986 and that activities and to influence and control use, 20,000 fished Elevenmile Canyon in 1994. and management of the area is obvious (signs, enforcement patrols, etc.). These RECREATION OPPORTUNITY areas provide an opportunity for CLASSES experiences that involve some privacy and limited opportunity for challenge and risk The South Platte from Deckers to Twin but include frequent contact among users at Cedars is classified as “rural” in the campsites and other developments. The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum, a system 8-mile-long segment of Elevenmile Canyon used by the Forest Service to describe the is primarily a narrow granite canyon. The recreation setting in terms of the physical, road follows the route of the historic social, and managerial characteristics of the DSP&P and passes through two tunnels, area. “Rural” applies to areas that include which add to the scenic driving experience. extensive modifications to the natural The canyon has six campgrounds that

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-65

provide capacity for as many as 455 2.16 SCENERY campers, and three picnic areas that can accommodate 95 people at a time. Along SUMMARY with camping and picnicking, fishing, swimming, tubing, and rock climbing are The South Platte River study corridor is the most significant activities. located within the Southern Rocky The South Platte from Vermillion Creek Mountains physiographic region and the (just downstream from Lake George) to “Front Range” landscape character subtype, near Corral Creek is classified “semi- for the purpose of evaluating scenic quality. primitive motorized.” This area has an Landscape character is defined as the extensive network of poor-quality and four- particular attributes, qualities, and traits of a wheel drive roads into the river corridor and landscape that give it an image and make it across the river at Longwater Crossing. identifiable or unique (Forest Service, 1995). This area has an essentially natural physical The river has a variety of visual settings, environment with few developments and ranging from deep, narrow canyons, to flat- only primitive roads or trails. It offers a bottomed valleys, to broad meadows. This type of experience that involves solitude, allows a range of visual experiences, from closeness to nature, and the opportunity to total enclosure and immediate foreground experience self-reliance and risk using views only to distant or background views. motorized equipment. Managerial controls Water is present in many forms, including and presence are not highly obvious, and waterfalls, whitewater, still pools, long restrictions are few. straight sections, and very sinuous sections. Wildcat Canyon from Corral Creek to the Water clarity is generally high. inlet of Cheesman Reservoir is classified as The vegetation surrounding the river “semi-primitive nonmotorized.” This area includes riparian forms such as alder, is accessible only by trail and is a natural cottonwood, and willow. Upslope from the appearing environment in which visitors river, aspen, ponderosa pine, and Douglas have a high probability of experiencing fir are all present. In some areas the tree solitude, closeness to nature, self-reliance stands are very dense while in others, and risk, with low interaction between particularly on the south slopes, the stands visitors and only some evidence of past use are commonly park-like. Many tree stands by others. This 3-mile segment is the only are interrupted by grassland openings. part of the study corridor where visitors do not encounter vehicular use in close Landforms are quite varied as well, proximity to the river. including rock outcrops, vertical walls, and boulder-strewn streambeds. The color of Cheesman Canyon, from the dam the rock formations is primarily gray, with downstream to the Wigwam Club property, some isolated spots of red and light gray. meets the criteria for semi-primitive Scraggy View, Slide Rock, and the Chutes nonmotorized, as it is accessible only by are a few of the named features. trail. While the semi-primitive classification implies few encounters with other people or The visual resource of the study area has groups, the use of this area is so high at been inventoried according to the National present that it is often crowded. Parking to Forest Visual Resource Management serve Cheesman Canyon and the Gill Trail System. This provides an inventory of the is limited and typically crowded. existing visual quality objectives. Current land management direction from the Forest

2-66 ˜ Chapter 2 Plan requires that these objectives be met to form, line, color, or texture. It the extent practical in all management includes all areas not found in activities. Classes A and B. The majority of the river corridor is in VARIETY CLASSES either “A” or “B” variety class settings. Variety classes are combined with sensitivity Variety classes are obtained by classifying level and viewing distance. the landscape into different degrees of variety. This determines those landscapes that are most important and those that are SENSITIVITY LEVEL of lesser value from the standpoint of scenic Sensitivity levels are a measure of the quality. This visual variety is the basis for a public’s concern for the scenic quality of the further delineation of landscapes. The National Forests. Level 1 is the highest variety classes are designated A, B, and C. sensitivity, level 2 is average sensitivity, and “A” landscapes are those with the most level 3 is the lowest sensitivity. variety and are, therefore, considered the most scenic. “C” landscapes represent those areas with the least variety in form, DISTANCE ZONES line, color, or texture. Distance zones are divisions of particular These inventory classifications are based landscapes being viewed. upon a variety of factors, such as landforms, Foreground is limited to those vegetation patterns, water forms, rock distances at which details can formations, line, color, and texture. normally be perceived. Class A is distinctive. It refers to Normally, in foreground views, those areas where features of the individual boughs of trees landform, vegetation patterns, form texture. Foreground is water forms, and rock usually limited to areas within formations are of unusual or one-quarter to one-half mile of outstanding visual quality. the observer. Such features are usually not Middleground extends from the common in a given landscape foreground zone out to 3 to character type. 5 miles from the observer. Class B is typical or common. It Texture is normally refers to those areas where characterized by masses of features contain variety in trees in stands of uniform tree form, line, color, and texture, cover. or combinations thereof, but Background extends from the which tend to be common middleground to infinity. throughout a character subtype Texture in stands of uniform area and are not outstanding in tree cover is generally weak or visual quality. nonexistent. Class C is minimal or indistinctive. Variety class, sensitivity, and distance are It refers to those areas whose combined to determine visual quality features have little change in objectives (VQOs).

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-67

VISUAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES EXISTING VISUAL CONDITION

VQOs are a measurable set of standards for The existing visual condition (also known as management of the land. They are “existing scenic integrity”) is an inventory of measured in terms of the deviation from the the current state of the landscape, natural landscape based upon the considering previous human alterations. importance of aesthetics. This inventory is not influenced by variety class or sensitivity level but is based solely The following terms are used to describe on physical conditions and appearance. The VQOs: six categories or condition levels are defined Preservation is assigned to all below. Type I includes those areas that are existing and recommended least impacted, and Type VI represents wilderness and other primitive areas that receive the heaviest impacts. non-roaded areas. TYPE I Areas in which only Retention provides for ecological change has taken management activities that are place except for trails needed not visually evident. Activities for access. They appear to be may only repeat forms, lines, untouched by human colors, and textures that are activities. frequently found in the characteristic landscape. TYPE II Areas in which changes in the landscape are not visually Changes in the size, amount, intensity, direction, or pattern evident to the average person of these properties should not unless pointed out. They be evident. appear undisturbed. Partial Retention provides for TYPE III Areas in which changes in the management activities that landscape are noticed by the remain visually subordinate to average visitor, but do not the characteristic landscape. attract attention. The natural appearance of the landscape Modification allows management dominates. Disturbances activities to be visually appear to be minor. dominant, but natural in appearance, even when viewed TYPE IV Areas in which changes in the as foreground or middleground landscape are easily noticed within the surrounding area. by the average visitor and Maximum Modification allows may attract attention. They alterations of vegetation and appear to be disturbances but landforms to dominate the resemble natural patterns. characteristic landscape. TYPE V Areas in which changes in the However, when viewed as landscape are strong and background, the visual would be obvious to the characteristics must be those of average forest visitor. These the natural setting within the changes stand out, surrounding area. dominating the landscape, yet are shaped so they might

2-68 ˜ Chapter 2 resemble natural patterns pedestrian access to the Elevenmile picnic when viewed from a distance. area. The Elevenmile Reservoir Dam They appear to be major dominates the upstream end of the canyon, disturbances. and a 10-foot diversion dam stands at the mouth of the canyon. Lake George and TYPE VI Areas in which changes in the Highway 24 are visible, as are powerlines landscape are in glaring and other utilities. This segment has a contrast to the natural VQO of Foreground Retention, Variety appearance. Almost all forest Class A, Sensitivity Level 1, and an Existing visitors would be displeased Visual Condition of Category IV along the with the effect. They appear river and Category II along the canyon rims. to be drastic disturbances. One generally cannot see outside the river corridor.

Review of an “Existing Visual Condition” South Platte – Segment B inventory completed prior to 1989 shows that the visual types of various areas within This segment, from Lake George to Beaver the Wild and Scenic River study corridor Creek, shows visible human influences, range from Type II to Type V. The impacts particularly around the Lake George area. are associated primarily with the roads Utility lines, Highway 24, private residences, paralleling the river, the many small towns, and businesses are all visible. North of artificial stream banks, road and train Happy Meadows campground, a more bridges, modification of the streambed natural appearance is evident. The river configuration, irrigation diversions, riprap exits a steep-sided canyon from Segment A that doesn’t match the surroundings, and meanders through broad meadows, impacts from use, recreation facilities, and until it enters another steep-sided canyon water clarity. near Vermillion Creek. This segment has a VQO of Foreground Retention, Variety Class B, Sensitivity Level 1, and an Existing DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC Visual Condition of Category V. The area RIVER SEGMENTS just outside the study corridor has a VQO As a result of the foreground viewing of Middleground Partial Retention, Variety distance, sensitivity levels, and variety class Class B, Sensitivity Level 1, and an Existing considerations, most of the study segments Visual Condition of Category II. have a VQO of “Retention.” South Platte – Segment C South Platte – Segment A Segment C, from Beaver Creek to This segment of the river, from Elevenmile Cheesman Reservoir, known as Wildcat Dam to Lake George in Elevenmile Canyon, is entirely on National Forest Canyon, passes by several campgrounds and System lands and shows little human impact picnic areas. The area is known for its rock except for a high-voltage powerline, several formations, attractive water features, and abandoned mining cabins, and several four- old railroad tunnels. Its scenic beauty draws wheel-drive roads. The area is known for its people from all over the region. A road remoteness, undeveloped character, and closely parallels the river, and two road rock formations. This segment has a VQO bridges cross the river. A third bridge is for of Foreground Retention, Variety Class A, Sensitivity Level 1, and an Existing Visual

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-69

Condition of Category II, except for a small Sensitivity Level 1, and an Existing Visual section along Northrup Gulch where it is Condition of Category IV along the river Category III. One generally cannot see and Category II outside the river corridor. outside the river corridor. The Hayman Fire in 2002 burned acreage, which can be North Fork – Segment H viewed from the river corridor. The intensity of the fire was low in this segment, This segment is predominately privately and subsequent assessment found no owned. It begins on the Berger property, change to the VQO or Existing Visual used mostly for grazing, passes the small Condition. community of Estabrook, enters the National Forest for several miles through an South Platte – Segment D inaccessible undeveloped canyon between Estabrook and Cliffdale, and then remains Segment D, from Cheesman Dam to the mostly on private land passing through the Wigwam Club property, lies within 600-foot town of Pine and several smaller deep Cheesman Canyon and is marked by communities, the Pine Valley Ranch Open steep side slopes. The area is only Space Park, and several ranches. Most of accessible by trail, and there are no the corridor’s scenery includes either rural developments in this segment. Cheesman communities with roads, powerlines, and Dam dominates the view in the upper third private residences or small ranches and of this river segment, and the Wigwam Club grazing pastures. From Buffalo Creek to improvements are visible from the lower the confluence with the South Platte, there third. The area is known for its limited are large rock formations such as Cathedral access, undeveloped character, and rock Spires and Dome Rock, which loom over formations. This segment has a VQO of the study corridor, but a graveled county Foreground Retention, Variety Class A, road paralleling the North Fork right along Sensitivity Level 1, and an Existing Visual the riverbank detracts from scenic views in Condition of Category II west of the river the corridor. and Category III east of the river. One cannot see outside the river corridor. This segment has a VQO of Foreground Retention or Middleground Partial Retention, Variety Class B, and Sensitivity South Platte – Segment E Level 1. The Existing Visual Condition In Segment E, from the Wigwam Club Category varies within the segment: it is IV property to Strontia Springs Reservoir, the along the river and III along the side slopes valley bottom widens, and there are many from Insmont to Estabrook, Category IV flat areas covered with willows and grass. along the river and II along the side slopes Numerous recreation facilities are located from Estabrook to Crossons, Category I along the riverbanks. A road parallels the within the National Forest System lands river from Deckers to the confluence. from Crossons to downstream of Pine (no Many private residences, bridges, and roads rating outside the National Forest), are visible. Dispersed recreation and the Category V along the river and II along the impacts associated with it are heavy along side slopes from Pine to Ferndale, and this section of the river. At the recreation Category IV along the river and II along the sites and in other dispersed areas, the side slopes from Ferndale to the South vegetation is often park-like, with small Platte confluence. The area outside the openings. This segment has a VQO of study corridor, where visible, has a VQO of Foreground Retention, Variety Class A,

2-70 ˜ Chapter 2 Middleground Partial Retention, Variety documented. Included in this category are Class B, and Sensitivity Level 1. 216 structures with possible architectural significance at 17 historic sites that were This segment includes several diversion visited and photographed during the dams for irrigation, constructed of rocks, analysis for the Two Forks Reservoir concrete, or a combination of the two. It project. also includes many check dams, some channelization, and areas of riprap, which is used along the highway side of the river and PREHISTORIC RESOURCES on the outside of some of the meanders. The study area contains a relatively high The material generally matches the density of prehistoric sites when compared surroundings in color and style, and it to the more rugged higher elevation areas would appear natural to the casual observer. adjacent to the river corridor. The Several abandoned railroad bridge prehistoric sites range in their expressions abutments are evident. Several other foot from isolated single artifacts to large areas and vehicle bridges, in varying states of of chipped stone debris near the river, to repair, are also visible. sheltered caves on the slopes adjacent to the floodplain. Culturally scarred trees, which reflect the American Indian practice of 2.17 CULTURAL RESOURCES harvesting the inner bark of the ponderosa pine in the late 18th or early to middle th INTRODUCTION 19 century, are known but have not been well documented in the Elevenmile Canyon Although cultural resource inventories portion of the corridor. Intuitively, it seems undertaken by the Forest Service and other that both the North Fork and South Platte State and Federal agencies within the study valleys would have been very attractive to corridors are incomplete, considerable prehistoric groups both as seasonal living knowledge regarding cultural resources locations and as areas where critical natural within the analysis area has been resources were relatively plentiful. accumulated. Most of the knowledge is The valleys were probably occupied for based on the cultural resources hundreds of generations, although this has investigations done by the Denver Water not been conclusively documented. Board and the Metropolitan Water Contemporary 19th century accounts by the Providers for the Two Forks study. Other first European settlers in the area describe investigations have been done by the Forest encounters with Ute Tribe groups and Service as part of its continuing cultural individuals. These accounts mention Horse resources management program and by the Creek, the Long Scraggy vicinity, and Colorado Department of Transportation in Wigwam Creek on the South Platte, and the U.S. Highway 285 corridor, which Pine Creek and Buffalo Creek on the North parallels the North Fork along its upper Fork as traditional summer camping places reaches. Currently, 92 recorded cultural for Ute groups. The recorded archeological properties are known within the analysis sites in these areas are probably the camping area; 44 of these reflect prehistoric spots used most recently by the Ute Indians. occupations, and the other 47 can be Groups affiliated with other Colorado characterized as historic uses or Indian tribes known to the first European occupations. Many more resources are settlers (for example, the Arapaho and known but have not been adequately Cheyenne) probably used the same areas.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-71

Earlier groups probably frequented these north of Kenosha Pass is Hall Valley, which valleys also, and they may well have used the was the site of an extensive silver mining same camping locations. Radiocarbon dates operation beginning in 1869. The several from Dancing Pants Shelter, located on the mines, tramway, smelter and mill sites, and South Platte a few miles upstream from the company town were the holdings of the confluence, suggest 4,000 years of use. Hall Valley Silver-Lead Mining and Smelting Artifacts collected during the Two Forks Company, Ltd. One of the first ore archeological survey also suggest a lengthy smelters in Colorado was built in Hall Valley prehistoric occupation. Archeological sites about 4 miles downstream from the were identified upstream from the principal mines. The original firm failed in confluence along both forks (along the 1876, but the holdings were taken over by a South Platte from the confluence to series of owners; the last full-scale Cheesman Dam, and upstream along the operations apparently occurred in the 1920s. North Fork to Pine). As a group, these sites The Hall Valley mining-related sites are constitute a significant resource, which eligible for the National Register. Lower on could make the area eligible for the National the North Fork is the Saxonia area, which Register. As a case set for archeological contains a mill and several mines; Saxonia is research, they contain the vital data recommended eligible to the National necessary to build a local sequence of Register. At the confluence of Metberry mountain prehistory and also could be used Gulch and the South Platte River in Wildcat to reconstruct the lifeways of the prehistoric Canyon were the Custer Cabins, circa 1870, Ute Indians and other earlier groups. These and an associated mining complex. These resources also would be significant for cabins were recommended eligible to the descendant modern American Indian National Register prior to being destroyed groups in the context of their heritage. by the Hayman Fire in June of 2002.

HISTORIC RESOURCES RAILROAD HISTORY RESOURCES Recorded historic resources differ widely in The remains of two pioneering railroads— their expression and represent a variety of the DSP&P and the Midland Railroad—are historic uses. Among the major themes in very significant heritage resources located in Colorado history reflected in the study area the study area. The initial settlement of are early transportation (stagecoach roads Colorado by people of European descent and railroad routes), mining (mines, mills, was tied closely to the discovery of gold and and tramways), logging (charcoal production silver in the high country. Travel to the sites and timber mills), recreation and mineral areas from the new cities located on tourism (hotels, resorts, and summer the eastern plains initially was difficult and residences), water development (Cheesman could be measured in terms of a week or Dam and related construction camps), and more. Enterprising railroad men were quick ranching (homesteads and ranches along the to remedy this situation, and several river). Three resources—the North Fork railroads were soon under construction, Historic District, the Estabrook Historic using the most easily constructed routes. District, and the Glen Isle Resort—are The South Platte River corridor offered one listed on the National Register. of the easiest routes for the railroad entrepreneur. Beginning in 1872, the There are several recorded resources in the DSP&P thrust up the South Platte canyon study area that contribute to the mining from Waterton south of Denver to the theme. At the head of the North Fork

2-72 ˜ Chapter 2 confluence of the Forks and then up the is well preserved and displays the North Fork to Kenosha Pass and on to the engineering acumen necessary to construct a gold and silver fields near Fairplay and railroad in a wild and rugged river canyon. Leadville. For more than 50 years, the Within this section is the Estabrook DSP&P and its successors hauled mining Historic District, which includes the former barons, their agents, and supplies to the Estabrook Depot, now used as a private mountains and hauled ore back down to the residence. Farther upstream near the town plains. A second major source of DSP&P of Bailey is the Keystone Bridge spanning trade was the burgeoning tourist and the river; this former railroad bridge has recreation industry, which became a major been relocated; it originally crossed the river factor in the Colorado economy after 1890. downstream from the confluence near The North Fork was a popular summer Strontia Springs. The bridge was salvaged destination noted for its spectacular scenery, during construction of the Strontia Springs quiet rural setting, and fishing opportunities. Dam. The North Fork Historic District and The railroad and other private entrepreneurs the Estabrook Historic District possess built several tourist resorts along the North outstandingly remarkable values for the Fork to accommodate potential visitors. purposes of this study. These included several large facilities at Bailey (the Kiowa Lodge), Glen Isle, and The DSP&P was a narrow gage operation Shawnee. Glen Isle is currently listed on the and, hence, was limited in the tonnage and National Register. Today, much of the volume of freight it could haul. In 1886, the abandoned grade has been destroyed or Midland Railroad, a standard gage line, altered by highway construction and other began constructing grade and track between developments. There are two stretches Colorado Springs and Aspen. With its within the study corridor that exhibit better standard gage permitting larger cars and preservation. One is in the lower canyon bigger engines with more horsepower, the beginning below the confluence and Midland figured to have an inherent continuing up the North Fork to the vicinity competitive advantage over its narrow gage of Pine. Much of this stretch is a rivals. The line was routed over Ute Pass to contributing element of the North Fork Florissant, then through Elevenmile Canyon Historic District, listed on the National on the South Platte, and across South Park Register. The surviving features of the to the Arkansas Valley and Leadville. railroad include the grade itself, rock work Eventually, the line was connected to Aspen and quarries along the grade, the highway and its mining district via the Hagerman bridge (formerly a railroad bridge) across Tunnel under the Continental Divide. The the river just downstream from the Midland also catered to tourists and local confluence, a boxcar modified to serve as a recreationists from Colorado Springs; a residence about a mile upstream from the favorite destination was the Elevenmile confluence, a second boxcar turned on its Canyon area, with its spectacular rock back and used as a bridge across the river, formations and sparkling mountain stream. the former station building at Dome Rock, The Midland had approximately 35 years of and the Westfall Monument operation, from 1887 through October (commemorates a heroic engineer who died 1921; it did not survive the economic in a train accident). upheavals resulting from World War I. The basic alignment of the grade is preserved in A portion of the grade west of Pine to the Elevenmile Canyon; other surviving features vicinity of Bailey is not within the North include three tunnels, several cuts and fills, Fork District; however, most of this section quarries for fill material, the former railroad

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-73

stops at Lidderdale and Idlewild, and several contains some recreation-related historic railroad construction crew camps located in components, including the South Platte side canyons. The grade and features of the Hotel near the confluence; a log summer Midland are eligible for the National home in colonial style east of Ferndale; Register. several jointed-log cabins in Ferndale that were double family company resort houses; the community of Longview, which RECREATION – TOURISM RESOURCES contains some summer cabins vintage Recreation and tourism is a second major 1910–20; similar resort houses at Dome theme prominent in Colorado history and Rock; historic cabins at Foxton; company relevant to this study. The mountains west cabins of the Hendrie and Bolthoff of Denver and other young Front Range Manufacturing Company at Riverview; the cities were recreation havens for the La Hacienda summer home built by John stressed-out urbanites even before the Jerome, the J.W. Green Mercantile Store, establishment of permanent towns and the Little Chapel in the Hills, and the Blue- roads. Once the railroads were constructed jay Inn, all at Buffalo Creek; and summer in the last decades of the 19th century, they homes at Pine. became the most efficient means of reaching mountain recreation sites. The On the South Platte above the confluence North Fork was a particularly favored are the Deckers (formerly Daffodil) Resort, recreation and resort destination for well-to- the Wigwam Club, and the Grandview do citizens of Denver. Bailey was initially Resort, which also are significant resources developed to accommodate travelers in terms of the recreation/resort theme. journeying between Denver and the mining Farther downstream are Tanglewood and districts in South Park and further west, but the Childs’ Cabin. These are summer soon it also catered to the recreation trade. residences constructed in the 1930s that are During the 1890s, many resorts and private related to the recreation theme and also summer retreats were built along the North appear to have architectural significance. Fork, which was easily accessible via the railroad. Recreation development also OTHER NOTEWORTHY occurred to a lesser degree along the South HISTORIC RESOURCES Fork above the confluence; resorts and private cabins and clubs along the stretch of Cheesman Dam and Reservoir and related the river from South Platte to present day sites, located on the South Platte, constitute Cheesman Dam catered especially to a significant historic site because of their anglers. The popularity of the South Platte association with Colorado water west of Denver as a recreation and tourism development and a more general connection destination seems to have peaked in the with the history of metropolitan Denver. period between the world wars. The Completed in 1902, the dam and its industry was severely hampered by World construction (featuring the use of large War II and did not recover after the war. granite blocks) also are significant in the context of engineering history and Some significant historic recreation/tourism development. Several properties along the related properties are located along the South Platte are significant in terms of the North Fork. Previously noted are the early settlement of the Colorado Mountains historic railroad-associated resorts, such as and ranching and homesteading themes. the Kiowa and Shawnee Lodges and Glen These include the Fletcher Ranch, a former Isle. The North Fork Historic District stage stop on Horse Creek; the Swayback

2-74 ˜ Chapter 2 Ranch, which was originally developed and depend on the South Platte River for some operated by Dell Manning, who tried or all of their water consumption needs. lumbering and cattle raising in the area; and El Paso County water needs are met mostly the Oxyoke Ranch, which was operated by from the Arkansas River but are included the historically prominent Ammons family because its citizens heavily use the study (Elias and Teller Ammons were governors area for recreation and because the county of the State of Colorado). Farther exchanges some of its water with other downstream, at Scraggy View, is the Corbin municipalities that use the South Platte Homestead or the “Little White House,” system. which was the home and ranch headquarters for the Ammons ranching operations. On Some of the economic and social the North Fork is the community of Bailey, differences in the distinction between the which was established by William Bailey, his metro and non-metro communities are wife, and her sister, Mrs. Entriken. The blurring, if not disappearing. New Bailey family established the Bailey Ranch communities in Park, Douglas, and El Paso for travelers in 1864. The Bailey town site Counties, while not yet major population and perhaps some of the surviving older centers, are well within commuting distance structures in the community probably are of Denver and Colorado Springs. The historically significant. 2000 Federal census reported that Douglas County was the fastest growing county in the United States during the 1990s as a percentage of current population. 2.18 SOCIOECONOMICS POPULATION GROWTH IN THE This section reviews the demographic AREA OF INFLUENCE statistics of the people who live in the towns and counties of the area, along with recent Population statistics and projections in this and projected growth. section are based on preliminary population projections (see table 2-14) (Colorado AREA OF INFLUENCE Department of Local Affairs, 2001). This area, in both metro and non-metro counties, The area of influence for this study is much has been experiencing significant population broader than the river corridor study area. growth. The total population living in the The counties chosen as the area of influence counties in the area of influence grew from are comprised of people whose cultural and 2.0 million to 2.6 million between 1990 and economic development is tied, to some 2000. This represents a total percentage degree, to the study area and its change of 30 percent for the 10-year period. management. Dependence on and use of The population in the area of influence has the water resources in the study area are been growing faster proportionately than very important to the public in the area of the total population of the State of influence. Colorado, a State whose population growth rate is among the highest of all States in the The area of influence for this study includes Nation. the heavily populated metro counties (Adams, Arapaho, Denver, El Paso, Douglas, and Jefferson) and the more rural, less densely populated non-metro counties (Park and Teller). The Metro counties all

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-75

2-76 ˜ Chapter 2 In the area of influence, the total population population growth of approximately of the metro counties dwarfs the population 1.2 million additional people in the area of of the non-metro counties (2,640,659 versus influence in the next 25 years, with 1 million 35,271 in 2000). The total population of these people projected to move into the growth of the metro counties in the area of metro counties. influence is much larger than that of the non-metro counties (614,482 to 15,491). By 2025, the area population is projected to be approximately 57 percent of the However, the growth rates of the non- population of the entire State of Colorado. metro counties exceed those of all metro Several of the counties will grow counties except for Douglas County. significantly faster than the State average, Douglas County, while classified as a metro even though the entire area of influence will County in most published census statistics, grow slightly slower than the State of has been transforming from a non-metro Colorado. county to a Denver suburban county. The non-metro counties grew by 78 percent As discussed under Water Uses, demands versus 30 percent for the metro counties for water are projected to exceed water over the 10-year period. This trend would supply in coming years. This begs the be even more pronounced if El Paso question ‘How would Front Range growth County were artificially split between metro be affected’. Other areas in dry climates and non-metro areas, since the majority of have asked similar questions, and the the population increase is taking place in the answers are not clear. Residential water Colorado Springs vicinity. The same demand is dependent on a variety of factors, generalization is true of Douglas County. A but one of the best correlated is price. As notable part of the population growth in price goes up, some water uses are curtailed these two counties, as well as in Jefferson significantly. Prices can be increased and Douglas Counties, is at the urban-forest through such things as fines during water interface. restrictions or increases in use rates. What is regarded as a water shortage under one Most of the population growth is due to in- price structure may be a water surplus under migration and births exceeding deaths. The another. Aggressive conservation measures people migrating to these towns include also affect the determination of adequate people leaving eastern Colorado, people water supplies. New technologies in water from southern California and other cities treatment and reuse and in industrial along the West Coast, and a smaller processing affect water consumption rates. percentage of people from all other parts of Finally, aggressive conservation measures the Nation. These population changes are affect the determination of adequate water part of a national pattern of population supplies. Some may claim that if little or no movement. additional water is provided, then metro area growth will cease and economic ruin will follow. Research in other parts of the PROJECTING FUTURE arid West has been unable to substantiate POPULATION GROWTH these claims (Nichols et al., 2001). FOR THE AREA OF INFLUENCE Table 2-14 shows recent population projections made by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the area of influence. This set of projections predicts

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-77

Colorado. Within the Forest Service’s 2.19 WILD AND SCENIC Rocky Mountain Region, there is only one RIVERS IN THE REGION other designated river, 20.5 miles of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone in NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC northwestern Wyoming, about 450 miles RIVERS SYSTEM from the study area. There are six designated rivers within 400 miles of the The Cache la Poudre River is the only study area: they are listed in table 2-15 and designated Wild and Scenic River in the shown on map 2-8. Front Range physiographic province and the only designated river within the State of

Table 2-15.—Rivers with Federal or State Protection Within 400 Miles of the Center of the Study Area

Map River River Name State Administering Agency Key Mileage Status

Cache la Poudre Colorado Forest Service/National Park 1 76.0 National Service System

Niobrara Nebraska National Park Service/ 2 103.0 National USFWS System

Rio Grande New Mexico Forest Service/BLM 3 64.75 National System

Rio Chama New Mexico Forest Service/BLM 4 24.6 National System

East Fork of the Jemez New Mexico Forest Service 5 11.0 National System

Pecos New Mexico Forest Service 6 20.5 National System

2-78 ˜ Chapter 2 er nv e an D lit No po rth ro Fork et So M a uth re Plat Pine Jct. A te R iver Buffalo Bailey Creek Strontia Springs Res. Wyoming Nebraska

Deckers

Study Cheesman Utah Area Res. Kansas

Colorado

Lake Woodland George Park

er iv R Elevenmile tte a Pl Res. h ut o New MexicoS

MAP KEY RIVER NAME 1 Cache Ia Poudre 2 Niobrara 3 Rio Grande 4 Rio Chama 5 East Fork of the Jemez 6 Pecos

Map 2-8.—Rivers with Federal or State Protection Within 400 Miles of the Center of the Study Area, South Platte River and North Fork of the South Platte River Wild and Scenic River Study.

Description of Area (Affected Environment) ˜ 2-79