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San Luis Valley Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment

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San Luis Valley Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment San Luis Valley Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment Historic and Current distribution of Wetlands and Riparian Areas: Recommendations for Future Conservation Second Edition – May 8, 2019 Prepared By: Wetland Dynamics, LLC In Association With: Rio Grande Basin Roundtable SLV Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment – Final Edition 2 1 Contents 1 Contents.............................................................................................................................................. 1 2 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................. 4 3 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. 5 4 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 7 5 SLV Background .................................................................................................................................. 9 5.1 Climate .................................................................................................................................... 10 5.2 Landscape ............................................................................................................................... 12 5.3 Hydrology ................................................................................................................................ 14 5.3.1 Aquifers ............................................................................................................................... 14 5.3.2 Riverine Systems ................................................................................................................. 15 5.3.3 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................. 17 5.4 Wildlife and Associated Conservation Plans ............................................................................ 19 6 SLV History of Human Developments and Changes .......................................................................... 21 6.1 Settlement .............................................................................................................................. 21 6.2 History of Water Use ............................................................................................................... 22 6.3 Impacts to Wetlands and Riparian Systems ............................................................................ 25 6.4 Climate Change Effects on Wetlands ...................................................................................... 28 6.5 Potential Changes in Water Use .............................................................................................. 28 7 Conservation ..................................................................................................................................... 31 7.1 Investments in Wetland Conservation in the SLV ................................................................... 31 7.1.1 Colorado Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program ............................................................. 31 7.1.2 Ducks Unlimited, Inc............................................................................................................ 31 7.1.3 Land and Water Conservation Fund .................................................................................... 31 7.1.4 Land Trusts in the SLV ......................................................................................................... 31 7.1.5 Natural Resource Conservation Service Programs .............................................................. 33 7.1.6 North American Wetlands Conservation Act....................................................................... 34 7.1.7 Partners for Fish and Wildlife .............................................................................................. 35 7.1.8 Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project ....................................................................... 35 7.1.9 Trout Unlimited, Inc ............................................................................................................ 35 7.2 Economic Value of Wetland Resources in the SLV .................................................................. 36 7.3 San Luis Valley Wetland Focus Area Committee ..................................................................... 37 1 SLV Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment – Final Edition 2 8 Summary of Public Lands and Water Rights...................................................................................... 38 8.1 Bureau of Land Management .................................................................................................. 39 8.1.1 Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area ............................................................................................... 39 8.1.2 McIntire-Simpson Property ................................................................................................. 40 8.2 Colorado Parks and Wildlife .................................................................................................... 41 8.2.1 Higel State Wildlife Area ..................................................................................................... 41 8.2.2 Home Lake State Wildlife Area ............................................................................................ 42 8.2.3 Hot Creek (Poso) State Wildlife Area ................................................................................... 42 8.2.4 Mountain Home Reservoir .................................................................................................. 43 8.2.5 Playa Blanca State Wildlife Area .......................................................................................... 43 8.2.6 Rio Grande State Wildlife Area ............................................................................................ 43 8.2.7 Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area ......................................................................................... 44 8.2.8 Sanchez Reservoir ............................................................................................................... 45 8.2.9 San Luis Hills State Wildlife Area ......................................................................................... 45 8.2.10 San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area ..................................................................................... 45 8.2.11 Sego Springs State Wildlife Area ....................................................................................... 46 8.2.12 Shriver/Wright SWA .......................................................................................................... 47 8.2.13 Smith Reservoir ................................................................................................................. 47 8.3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .................................................................................................. 47 8.3.1 Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge ....................................................................................... 47 8.3.2 Baca National Wildlife Refuge ............................................................................................. 48 8.3.3 Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge ................................................................................. 49 9 Priority Species, Wetlands, and Habitat Matrices ............................................................................. 50 9.1 Priority Species and Fact Sheets .............................................................................................. 50 9.2 Wetland and Habitat Types ..................................................................................................... 51 9.3 Habitat and Life Cycle Matrices ............................................................................................... 53 10 IWJV GIS Analysis: Historic vs. Current Wetland Conditions in the SLV ................................... 55 10.1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 56 10.2 GLO ......................................................................................................................................... 57 10.3 GLO and 16 day Satellite Imagery Analysis Results ................................................................. 57 11 Hydrologic Extent – Additional Analysis .................................................................................. 62 11.1 Changes in Hydrologic Extent Over Time ................................................................................ 63 11.2 Specific Species Analysis.......................................................................................................... 69 2 SLV Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment – Final Edition 2 11.2.1 Cinnamon Teal .................................................................................................................. 70 11.2.2 Greater Sandhill Crane ...................................................................................................... 73 11.2.3 White-faced Ibis ................................................................................................................ 76 11.3 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................
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