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WSP11581
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Last modified
1/26/2010 3:18:05 PM
Creation date
10/12/2006 5:03:45 AM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
Water Supply Protection
File Number
8407.500
Description
Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications - Missouri River
State
CO
Basin
South Platte
Water Division
1
Date
9/1/1986
Author
USDA
Title
Missouri River Tributaries - Colorado Cooperative River Basin Study - Potential for Irrigation System Improvements
Water Supply Pro - Doc Type
Report/Study
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<br />B-5 <br /> <br /> <br />l' '0 1"' '7 3 <br />'\ ....!.:'- <br /> <br />Geology <br /> <br />The mountainous areas of the basin are generally composed of hard crystalline <br />and sedimentary rocks with granite predominating. In the geologic past, these <br />rocks have been sculptured by ice and water to produce the rugged peaks and <br />steep-sided valleys which form the alpine topography seen today. Some areas are <br />covered by recent deposits of unconsolidated glacial till, sand, gravel, silts, <br />and clays left behind by the continental glaciers. Erosion tends to be slow in <br />these areas and the mountain streams generally carry very little sediment. <br /> <br />The plains areas are underlain by sedimentary rock formations consisting <br />predominantly of clays, shales, silts, sands, and sandstones. Such areas erode <br />much more readily than the older and ~ore consolidated rocks of the mountainous <br />areas. Much of the plains area is covered by younger alluvial and colian deposits <br />of clay, silt, sand, and gravel. <br /> <br />Land Resources <br /> <br />From land and water stem the natural and renewable resources of agriculture, <br />grass, forest, recreation, fish, and wildlife. The land and water resources have <br />the potential, if properly managed and developed, to contribute to the <br />satisfaction of demands and meet future needs. <br /> <br />The basin contains scenic mountains, narrow canyons, precipitous slopes, <br />fertile valleys, broad plains, forests, grasslands, wetlands, lakes, and streams. <br />Below the surface are extensive supplies of groundwater, coal, oil, gas, and other <br />minerals. All these natural resources have and will continue to play a most <br />important role in development of the basin. <br /> <br />The land resources of the basin are clo$ely associated with their present <br />uses (see Table B-1 and map). The best method to, describe these resources is to <br />indicate the current uses and to give an idea of their potential for future <br />expansion. <br /> <br />Agriculture <br /> <br />About 88 percent (16,901,000 acres) of land in the basin are used for some <br />agricultural purpose. Pasture and rangeland comprise the largest use and account <br />for 38 percent of the total area. In addition, about 27 percent of the land is <br />non-irrigated cropland, 8 percent is irrigated cropland, 14 percent is in forest, <br />and 1 percent in other agriculture lands. The remaining 12 percent is devoted to <br />non-agricultural and water uses. <br /> <br />Shortage of water is a major limiting factor in agricultural production. <br />Approximately 8 percent (1,580,000 acres) of the, cropland is irrigated. <br />Irrigation is practiced principally along the rivers and in the Ogallala Aquifer <br />region. While surface water has made the greatest contribution, ground water also <br />provides its portion. Water for irrigation has contributed not only to increases <br />in the production of crops and livestock, but to the stability of the total <br />agriculture and overall economy of the region. <br />
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