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<br />~ <br />~CHAPTER I <br />~ <br /> <br />GENERAL DISCUSSIONS <br /> <br />irrigation systems are privately owned. With the exception of the small <br />Axial Reservoir on Good Springs Creek, there is no significant reservoir <br />storage far irrigation. <br /> <br />Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District <br /> <br />Development of a local water supply project has long been advocated <br />by local residents, western slape organizations, State officials, and re- <br />cently by private industry. On September 29, 1959, the Yellow Jacket Wa- <br />ter Conservancy District was organized by local residents to be the spon- <br />soring and administering agent for such a project. Boundaries of the dis- <br />trict are shown on the frontispiece map. Consideration is being given to <br />extension of the southern and western boundaries to include portions of <br />the Piceance Creek drainage. Both the district and the State have contrib- <br />uted funds for the investigation. <br /> <br />Population and Economic Conditions <br /> <br />The 1975 papulation of the project area was estimated to be only <br />5,350 persons. Except for about lOO in the Milk Creek area, the entire <br />papulation resides in Ria Blanco County. Meeker and Rangely are the <br />largest communities, with about l,700 persons each. The remainder live <br />on scattered farms or ranches throughout the area. The population has <br />increased slightly between 1970 and 1975, in contrast to a long downward <br />trend. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Although the livestock industry is the main economic strength of the <br />area, mineral processing and outdoor recreation are rapidly growing in <br />importance. The economic potential of energy-related developments in the <br />area is extremely large, as discussed previously in this chapter. Hunt- <br />ing and fishing in the vicinity of the project are same of the best in <br />the Nation and attract sportsmen from every state and even foreign coun- <br />tries. Excellent opportunities for future development of winter sports <br />are also widely recognized. Development of recreational lands and rec- <br />reational activities has recently been increased markedly. Many local <br />residents derive substantial income by providing accommodations anti serv- <br />ices for visiting sportsmen. <br /> <br />Natural Setting <br /> <br />Climate <br /> <br />The project area's climate varies noticeably with elevation, wt Lch <br />dropS from l2,OOO feet in the headwaters of the White River down to ~bo"t <br />5,050 feet at the Colorado-Utah State line near the Green River. In the <br /> <br />7 <br />