GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Six Garfield County streams are being proposed for in-stream flow protection to preserve recreation and fisheries.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board is reviewing recommendations for stretches of the Dry Fork of Roan Creek west of De Beque, Beaver Creek south of Rifle, and East Divide Creek south of New Castle. The East Divide Creek stretch being targeted actually crosses into Mesa County, and the other two creeks are just north of the Mesa County line.
Also up for consideration are the Left Fork of Carr Creek east of Douglas Pass, the East Fork of Parachute Creek on the Roan Plateau north of Parachute, and Meadow Creek north of New Castle, the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported Monday ().
State law allows the board to hold in-stream flow rights for purposes such as protecting recreation and fisheries, within certain limitations, including that the rights don’t injure other water rights. It allows the state to regulate minimum flows in streams and levels in natural lakes to protect the environment.
The Bureau of Land Management recommended the Left Fork of Carr Creek, East Fork of Parachute Creek and the Dry Fork of Roan Creek for the protections because all three streams support native fish, and they are also all in western Garfield County in areas of increasing oil and gas development.
The BLM has been investing in improvements on the Dry Fork of Roan Creek, which Smith said has leopard frogs, fish and an insect community to support those fish.
The BLM says the other two creeks proposed by the BLM are in pristine condition.
BLM official Roy Smith called the East Fork of Parachute Creek “one of the most beautiful places in Garfield County.” The creek sits in a canyon and includes a 200-foot waterfall.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommended the other three creeks for protection.
Beaver Creek is a principal water source for the city of Rifle and also is home to brown trout and Colorado River cutthroat trout. East Divide Creek also contains Colorado River cutthroat trout, along with rainbow trout and speckled dace.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
