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Show tions occur in at least 20 different areas in the basin,66 creating erosion problems. Too heavy game use has caused serious deterioration of range, particularly- of browse vegetation, and in places has caused as much damage to the protective value of the watershed cover as has overgrazing by livestock. A combination of the two types of grazing on the same area has been responsible for some serious deterioration. Big game problems are accentuated as herds reach excessive numbers, at times the direct result of well-meaning conservationists' and sportsmen's efforts. With numerous water projects planned for moun- tain areas, there will be additional opportunity for recreational enterprise. In planning such develop- ments, the public need for recreation should be fully taken into account. Operations can well be planned so that reservoir levels are maintained fairly constant during the recreational season. Where this is impossible, provision might be made in an arm of the lake for water of constant elevation. Other facilities for recreation use which are needed include camping and parking areas, access roads and trails, adequate sanitation, and wildlife sanc- tuaries or refuges. Diversions of water out of Colorado tributary streams into other basins in some cases may reduce the fishery resource downstream from these works, and also mean a loss of fish into these diversions. The removal of much of the flow from the streams and the variable and fluctuating flows also may adversely affect the fish population, even if water is released from the reservoir expressly for fishing. Reservoir construction in the lower river will have a materially beneficial effect upon the fishery, as cool water will prevail in the sediment-free res- ervoir pools. These reservoirs, however, are mainly in relatively deep canyons where inadequate spawning opportunities may be an important limit- ing factor. Reservoirs can be provided, as at Lake Mead, with facilities inviting public use. Provision can be made in successive dams in the main stem for boat- ing so that the beauties of the canyon may be enjoyed. At one time, the Colorado River Basin was known among traders and trappers as a valuable fur coun- try. Today, the beaver population has been greatly reduced. Heavy grazing by cattle and game has E. g., Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre areas, Colorado; Goconino and Sitgreaves areas, Arizona. 438 killed out aspen, willow, cottonwood, and shrubs used by beaver as food. Overstocked ranges will not support beaver; moderately stocked ranges will. In addition to providing a valuable fur, beaver would aid in restoring many gullied mead- ows and arroyos. Their dams would catch sedi- ment and the deposits would help control bank cutting. In this way some of the original channel slope might be reestablished. Recreation has stimulated an interest in mining claims. (See problem B-3.) Some 6,000 mining claims exist in the forest areas of the Colorado Basin, involving about 200,000 acres. These are often so located as to command valuable recrea- tional opportunities. Many claims have already passed to patent. Less than 3 percent of those are producing any mineral; the balance are today in resorts, dude ranches, summer homes, and the like. Conclusions Pressures upon the mountain lands for various types of recreation require that this use be given greater consideration in land management plans. It requires that other land uses be harmonized with this growing activity, that adjustments in use be attained, and that plans be made so as to meet the problem. Because of the dominant public owner- ship of land, largely Federal, the problem is im- portant from Federal, State, and local points of view. Management is also needed for fish and game. This means greater attention to game herds so that forage overuse will not occur. One neglected method of management is to give State game agencies authority to modify seasons, refuges, and harvesting requirements instead of attempting to meet changing conditions by periodic legislation. It also means greater attention to managing the habitat so as to provide the best possible ecological conditions for fish and game. Proper watershed management, cleaning pol- luted waters, reducing silt and sediment, and man- aging the fishery resource instead of merely restocking streams and lakes also can contribute. Although State agencies are devoting much time and attention to restocking by planting legal-sized fish, it is believed that by simple measures of stream management, providing more food and better habitat conditions through better range use, fish could maintain themselves with less stocking. Recreation facilities should be provided in greater measures in mountain areas. This means |
