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Colorado IBAs
Hanging Lake
Garfield County
Size: 10 acres
Elevation: 7200 feet
Habitats: Primary – high elevation riparian
Secondary – cliff/rock
Ownership: Federal (U.S. Forest Service)
Land Use: Primary – recreation/tourism
Secondary – water supply
IBA Criteria: 2, 3
Site description
Location: The Hanging Lake site is a series of travertine falls on Dead Horse Creek in Glenwood Canyon, on the Colorado River. A 1.5 mile long trail extends from the Colorado River to Hanging Lake, Spouting Rock, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Vegetative/natural features: The site is within a riparian forest of Douglas-fir, boxelder, and Rocky Mountain maple, with spruce and subalpine fir at the upper end. The site is a known location for Hanging Garden Sullivantia, the only species of this genus found in Colorado.
Ornithological Importance
This site holds the only breeding population of Black Swifts on the White River Plateau. It is the only location on the White River Plateau that satisfies the specialized breeding needs of this species.
Breeding species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Black Swift
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11 nests
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American Dipper
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2 nests
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Cordilleran Flycatcher
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2 pairs
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Wintering species
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Average #
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Maximum #
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American Dipper
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2 nests
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Conservation/Management Issues
Serious threats:
- hydrologic changes (a private company attempted to obtain water rights above Hanging Lake to bottle and distribute drinking water).
Potential threats:
- habitat disturbance from rock and ice climbing.
Management details:
The area is closed to fishing, hunting, camping, swimming, motorized vehicles, campfires, and pets on trails. Hanging Lake is a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.
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