Our Watershed
Encompassing nearly 400 square miles, the Lake Fork of the
Gunnison River Watershed is situated on the northern flank of
the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, and is part
of the Colorado River Basin. The Lake Fork flows through an
amazing diversity of habitats, from vast meadows of alpine
tundra at the highest elevations to rocky sagebrush canyons
at the lowest. The Lake Fork and its primary tributary, Henson
Creek, form two important riparian corridors through narrow
mountain canyons. Lake City, at the confluence of the Lake
Fork and Henson Creek, is the only community in the
watershed, with a permanent population of about 500.
Wildlife comprises a highly-visible and much-appreciated
component of the watershed. Herds of mule deer and elk live
at nearly all elevations, and two distinct populations of Rocky
Mountain bighorn sheep call the watershed home. Black bear
are relatively common, as are mountain lions, coyotes and
bobcats. Recently introduced species include Canada lynx and
moose. Colorado River cutthroat trout once lived in the lower
Lake Fork, and still exist in a few localities. Over 200 species of
birds are present in the summer months, including ospreys,
golden eagles, white-tailed ptarmigan, Gunnison sage grouse,
boreal owls, and many migratory neotropical species.
First settled in the 1870s, the watershed has experienced a
colorful history highlighted by gold and silver mining, cattle and
sheep ranching, and tourism. Today, tourism, subdivision
development and recreation dominate the economy and
create unique impacts on the watershed's ecology. Most
human activities occur in the narrow valley bottoms of Henson
Creek and the Lake Fork, making them areas of particular
concern.
Although not without evidence of historic and current human
impact, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison remains a lightly
populated and relatively undisturbed watershed by Colorado
standards, and the vast majority of the land is publically held.
The local population appreciates the character of the
watershed as it exists, and is sensitive to protecting the natural
environment as vital to the economy of the area. It is our
belief that stakeholder-based watershed planning and
stewardship is the surest approach for protecting both the
economic and ecological health of the watershed for
generations to come.
Encompassing nearly 400 square miles, the Lake Fork of the
Gunnison River Watershed is situated on the northern flank of
the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, and is part
of the Colorado River Basin. The Lake Fork flows through an
amazing diversity of habitats, from vast meadows of alpine
tundra at the highest elevations to rocky sagebrush canyons
at the lowest. The Lake Fork and its primary tributary, Henson
Creek, form two important riparian corridors through narrow
mountain canyons. Lake City, at the confluence of the Lake
Fork and Henson Creek, is the only community in the
watershed, with a permanent population of about 500.
Wildlife comprises a highly-visible and much-appreciated
component of the watershed. Herds of mule deer and elk live
at nearly all elevations, and two distinct populations of Rocky
Mountain bighorn sheep call the watershed home. Black bear
are relatively common, as are mountain lions, coyotes and
bobcats. Recently introduced species include Canada lynx and
moose. Colorado River cutthroat trout once lived in the lower
Lake Fork, and still exist in a few localities. Over 200 species of
birds are present in the summer months, including ospreys,
golden eagles, white-tailed ptarmigan, Gunnison sage grouse,
boreal owls, and many migratory neotropical species.
First settled in the 1870s, the watershed has experienced a
colorful history highlighted by gold and silver mining, cattle and
sheep ranching, and tourism. Today, tourism, subdivision
development and recreation dominate the economy and
create unique impacts on the watershed's ecology. Most
human activities occur in the narrow valley bottoms of Henson
Creek and the Lake Fork, making them areas of particular
concern.
Although not without evidence of historic and current human
impact, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison remains a lightly
populated and relatively undisturbed watershed by Colorado
standards, and the vast majority of the land is publically held.
The local population appreciates the character of the
watershed as it exists, and is sensitive to protecting the natural
environment as vital to the economy of the area. It is our
belief that stakeholder-based watershed planning and
stewardship is the surest approach for protecting both the
economic and ecological health of the watershed for
generations to come.
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©Janet Potter
© Barbara Hite
| LFWS Watershed Stewardship Plan |
