WSP10974 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I~ 00 - ~, c Climate The project area has a temperate, semi-arid climate which is satisfactory for irrigation farming. Dry farming has proven unsuccessful due to inadequate rainfall. A Weather Bureau station was operated at Crawford from 1901 to 1922. This station recorded an average of 10.80 inches annual precipitation for this period. By comparison with records of stations at Paonia, Delta, and Montrose it is estimated that the average annual precipitation is slightly in excess of 10 inches. Half of this falls during the growing season. The weather station at Crawford during the l3-year period previously mentioned recorded an average frost-free period of 137 days. By cOlllparison with surrounding stations having a longer period of record, it is estimated that the ave+age frost-free Season for the project area varies from 135 to 145 days. The last killing frost occurrs around May 12-17 and the first killing frost around Oc~ober 1-5. Maximum and minimum temperatures recorded at Crawford are 930 F and -250 F. Relative humidity is low, averaging about 40 percent. Present Agriculture History of Development Western Colorado, including Delta County, was originally inhabited by Ute Indians. Early efforts of the whites to settle the area were retarded by the Indians until a compromise agreement between the United States and the Ute Indians was reached in 1881. Iii th this agreement. settlement of the area progressed rapidly. Early settlers found irrigation necessary for successful crop production. Natural flow from Smith Fork was first appropriated in 1883. Present appropriations exceed the available stream flow during most of the irrigation season. In addition to irrigation, vater is used for domestic, stock, and recreational purposes. Water is distributed through canals and ditches throughout most of the winter months to supply stock water. No vater is used for industrial purposes. Agricultural Development Agriculture is the basic industry of the project area and consists primarily of a livestock economy -- beef cattle. sheep, dairying, and general livestock. All farms have livestock. Some se~l part of their crops. Income is derived principally from the sale of livestock and livestock products. Irrigated lands are used primarily for the growing of hay, grain, and pasture in connection with these enterprises. During the spring, summer, and fall months cattle and sheep are grazed on the adjoining national forest and public domain lands. Private rangelands are used also for grazing. Shortages of irrigation water supplies have limited the expansion of irrigated land; consequently, there has been little new development since the initial settlement. Crop yields reflect this water shortage. - 2 - I !