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Show the stream completely. The fisheries potential will be limited until streambank vegetation can be established. Diamond Fork " a0 Strawberry Cutoff to Three Forks " The reach of Diamond Fork above Three Forks is one of the best stream fisheries in the Uinta Forest. Bank- cover is heavy and in some cases provides a closed canopy above the stream. The bottom material is good and supports a healthy aquatic population of both plants and animals. Game fish do well in this reach and natural propagation occurs. Good aquatic habitat coupled with excellent esthetic qualities are responsible for the popularity of the area with fishermen and picnickerSo " Turbidity has a great impact on the aquatic habitat and is the limiting factor governing natural propagation. The reconstruction of the Diamond Fork road will increase the turbidity level, particularly during construction. Water quality, health of the aquatic habitat, and propagation of the fish population can be expected to decline. Upgrading or reconstruction of the Diamond Fork road will be accomplished with or without the Unit. Without the Unit, the Forest Service plans to improve this road to accommodate the recreationists who are attracted to this area. " b. Three Forks to Hayes Reservoir " Like Sixth Water, Diamond Fork has been used for conveyance of Strawberry irrigation water. Its channel is wide, and the aquatic plant and animal community is in extremely poor condition. The channel is unstable due to highly fluctuating flows and the movement of large volumes of bedload material. " After 60 years of extreme flows, Diamond Fork has been severely modified. The channel capacity is much higher and the natural flows are below the optimum. Great quantities of material have been deposited in the channel and are slowly migrating downstream. 258 |