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.-l C"-: c: -- c CHAPTER IV TIiE RaATION~P OF WATERSHED CONillTIONS TO THE SMITIi FORK PROJECT Watershed condi tions covered in this report are common to most western irrigation projects. They do not materially affect feasibility of the pro ject. However, improvement of watershed condi tions and alleviation of local problems will extend the life of the project and reduce operating difficul ties and maintenance expenses. These condi tions are pointed out so that local, state and federal agencies which deal with watershed lands can align their regular and special programs to the eventual solution of these problems. Location and Size The watershed area comprises the drainages of the .9:ni th Fork River, Allen Gulch, and Cottonwood Creek in Del ta, Montrose, and Gunnison counties, Colorado. .9:ni th Fork River drains the area east and south of the Crawford Reservoir into the Gunnison River. Allen Gulch and Cottonwood Creek drain the high mesa area above the .9:nith Fork River into the North Fork River. J'iIost of the project lands are located in the Cottonwood Creek and Allen Gul ch drainages. The area is divided into subwatersheds as shown in table 14 and on the watershed map. Table 14. - Subwatersheds, 9ni th Fork project Subwatershed number 1 Drainages 9nith Fork River ;b~-~~l~ mouth of Iron Creek square miles 73 2 Iron Creek beween Gould Reservoir and Crawford Reservoir 52 14 60 3 4 5 6 Iron Creek above Gould Reservoir .9:ni th Fork River below mouth of Iron Creek Allen Gulch (including project lands) Cottonwood Creek (including project lands) 25 41 265 To tal - 48 -