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Climate The semiarid climate of the study area is characterized by low to moderate precipitation, substantial evaporation, low humidity, moderate to intense winds, and a large daily range in temperature. The average time between killing frosts is about 180 days. The last killing frost generally occurs in late April, and the first killing frost occurs in mid-October. The mean annual precipitation at Rocky Ford is 11.6 inches. About 75 to 80 percent of the annual precipitation falls as rain during the growing season. La Junta's conditions are nearly the same. Economic and Demoaraohic Data The economy of the watershed and surrounding area is heavily dependent on agriculture. Family farms are the predominate type. About 505 operating units averaging about 120 acres/unit are loceted within the watershed boundaries Cash crop production and livestock operations are the major enterprises. Irrigation water is supplied to the watershed by the Highline, Otero, Catlin, Rocky Ford, and Oxford Canal Companies. The Highline Canal is one of the earliest decreed ditches on the Arkansas River. Reservoir storage and approximately 400 wells provide supplemental irrigation water. Approximately 100 wells are used for drinking, livestock, and other rural farm uses. . The population of Otero County and surrounding areas consists of 63 percent white, 35 percent Hispanic, and 2 percent other races. The per cepita income of the area (1996 census) is $18,197 for 1996 as compared to the state average of $25,740. Of the totals 19.6 percent of the families are below the poverty level. The average age is 35. The June 1998 unemployment rate is 5.6 percent as compared to 3.9 percent for Colorado. The farm labor force has shrunk over the years to the point that irrigated agriculture is being impacted. Hired farm labor has decreased by more than 50% since 1954. The La Junta census division (population 9,450) of Otero County includes Swink (population 584), and La Junta (7,637), Fowler census division (population 1,647), Manzanola census division (population 927), and Rocky Ford census division (population 5,804). These towns are loceted within the watershed. Transportation routes include state highways 71,167, and 169 running north and south, and US highway 50 running east and west. Many secondary and county roads are within the county. Wildlife Unpredictable precipitation is part of the climatic picture that combines with other climate factors to create a harsh environment for wildlife. The watershed rests in what is considered a historical short grass prairie. Many of the traditional wildlife species still exist in the area. Suitable habitat for the following threatened or endangered species is found in or near the watershed: bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), 13