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<br />Climate <br /> <br />The semiarid climate of the study area is characterized by low to moderate <br /> <br />precipitation, substantial evaporation, low humidity, moderate to intense winds, and a <br /> <br />large daily range in temperature. The average time between killing frosts is about 180 <br /> <br />days. The last killing frost generally occurs in late April, and the first killing frost <br /> <br />occurs in mid-October. <br /> <br />The mean annual precipitation at Rocky Ford is 11.6 inches. About 75 to 80 percent <br /> <br />of the annual precipitation falls as rain during the growing season. La Junta's <br /> <br />conditions are nearly the same. <br /> <br />Economic and Demoaraphic Data <br /> <br />The economy of the watershed and surrounding area Is heavily dependent on <br /> <br /> <br />agriculture. Family farms are the predominate type. Wi~hiA 'Ae 'Natersi=lsa bel:lnaaries <br /> <br /> <br />thero aro 8about 505 operating units averaging about 120 acres/unit are located <br /> <br /> <br />within the watershed boundaries,.. Cash crop production and livestock operations are <br /> <br /> <br />the major enterprises. Irrigation water Is supplied to the watershed by the Highline, <br /> <br /> <br />Otero, Catlin, Rocky Ford. and Oxford Canal Companies. The Highline Canal is one <br /> <br /> <br />of the earliest decreed ditches on the Arkansas River. Reservoir storage and <br /> <br /> <br />approximately 400 wells provide supplemental irrigation water. Approximately 100 <br /> <br /> <br />wells are used for drinking, livestock. and otherrural farm uses. <br /> <br />The population of Otero County and surrounding areas consist~ of 63 percent white, <br /> <br /> <br />35 percent Hispanic, and 2 percent other races. The per capita income of the area <br /> <br /> <br />~. <br /> <br />f! j: <br /> <br />_.~ - <br />