OCR Text |
Show Both reservoirs would provide opportunities for water related recreation. Fisheries would be maintained in these reservoirs. The stabilized upstream reservoirs would be maintained as lakes, thereby providing better fisheries and more potential for recreational use. The stabilization of the reservoirs would also improve the esthetic appeal of the high mountain setting in which these reservoirs are found. The two reservoirs to be constructed would provide some esthetic attraction before drawdown occurs. After drawdown this attraction would be diminished. The reservoirs would inundate approximately 1,100 acres of land, all of which is wildlife habitat. About 3 miles of Uinta River and 2 miles of Whiterocks River would be inundated,, Both streams support a Class III fishery through the reservoir areas. The two reservoir basins support stands of timber which would be cut and processed. The Forest Service estimates there would be approximately 537,000 board feet in the Whiterocks Reservoir Basin. Although the actual number of board feet in the Uinta Reservoir basin is not available, it would be similar to the amount in Whiterocks. Approximately 6.5 miles of roads would be constructed around the reservoirs to replace those inundated. Using the ratio of 10 acres per mile of roadway, about 65 acres of land would be required for these roads. Landscape scars would result where the roads traverse steep slopes around the reservoirs. Approximately 3 miles of transmission line would be constructed up Whiterocks Canyon to the dam. The line would have a negative impact on the esthetics of the canyon. The two laterals would traverse side hills and gently sloping lands. The construction, using the ratio of 2 acres per mile of lateral, would require about 12 acres of land. The laterals would traverse areas vegetated mainly with juniper, native grass, and sage brush. There should be no scars associated with construction which cannot be revege- tated. These laterals would be earthlined. Provisions would be made to provide water to the Merimon Ditch, part of which would be inundated by the Whiterocks Reservoir. Streamflows would be reduced below the dams and there would be a corresponding decrease in aquatic habitat. A recent survey by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources^ indicates that to maintain the present classification of fishery in Uinta River, flows should not be reduced beyond 422 |