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t(j 1'- ~ ..~ Cover conditions are fair in the alpine and spruce-fir zone of the upper Uncompahgre River. These areas are generally in Ouray County. MOst of tne water 'comes 'from ~he&e two zones, 'Particularly the snow fields in che alpine zone. Very little sediment comes from these zones. The ponderosa-Oakbrush zone covers the lower headwaters of the main river and most of the headwater for the side tributaries draining from the Un~ compahgre Plateau. This is the highest water-yielding area from the Uncompahgre Plateau. Vegetation is spruce and douglas fir with a scattering of ponder os a pine and some oakbnlsh. A small acreage of irrigated meadow hay is in this zone. Cover is generally fair, but spring runoff delivers sediment through the tributaries to the Uncompahgre River. The pinyon-juniper and desert shrub zones are high sediment producing areas which make the Uncompahgre River the largest sediment producing tributary to the Gunnison River. The cover is predominantly sagebrush-grass or desert shrub-grass, generally in poor condition. Summer thundershowers cause periodic high velocity runs in the various tributaries. Very seldom do these storms cover a wide area or add much water' to the streams, but are quite damaging due to high intensities. Return flow irrigation water from the various mesas carries heavy sediment loads. Many of these wasteways are headcutting back into the farmland. There are about 8,000 acres of phreatophyte growth, consisting of willows or cottonwoods in hay meadows or along streams and canals. Some of this growth could be controlled and the water put to more beneficial use. Recreation The jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains around Ouray, Colorado are widely known as the "American Alps." This area is the center of heavy recreation use in the Uncompahgre subbasin. Visitors are attracted to the area mainly to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and the thrill of exploring historic townsites and mines and mills. Many jeep cavalcades travel and explore the old mine trails and high mountain passes of this scenic area. The Black Canyon of the Gu~nison National Monument attracts many tourists to stop and view the awesome gorge. Due to its proximity to US-50, tourist~ use for sightseeing and overnight camping is heavy. The Uncompahgre Plateau receives local use from the valley residents for summer drives and deer hunting in the fall. It is one of the most impor~nt deer hunting areas in the State. Over 6,000 deer were harvested here in 1961. Elk also are an added resource in the upper drainage of the Uncompahgre River. Approximately 20 percent of the States wild turkey harvest came from this area in 1961. Rapid increaseS in visitor and hunter use can be expected, particularly in the Ouray, Black Canyon and Uncompahgre Plateau areas. Present recreation use amounts to about 75,000 man"days annually and is expected to increase by at least six times by the year 2000. - 74 -