WSP11669

• File Number: 8149.100
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - NRCS-Ft Lyon Canal Co Limestone Graveyard Creeks
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 9/1/1996
• Author: Bent Soil Conservati
• Title: Limestone-Graveyard Creeks Watershed Bent County Colorado Prowers County Colorado Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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Land Cover

The land cover in the watershed is estimated in Table A:

Table A - Land Cover

Land Cover % Acres
Cropland, irrigated 75.1 44,500
Rangeland 23.7 14,050
Other (roads/towns) 1.2 700
Total 100.0 59,250

The crops being grown on the irrigated cropland are estimated in
Table B:

Table B - Cropland Distribution

Crop % Acres
Alfalfa 61. 3 27275
Grain Corn 9.0 4025
Grain Sorghum 13 .1 5825
Small Grain 7.2 3200
Pasture & Hayland 2.2 975
Misc. other crops
and fallow 7.2 3200
Total 100.0 44,500 acres

No significant land cover and cropland distribution change is
anticipated in the future. 98% of land in the watershed is privately
owned and 2% is state land.

Climate

The semiarid climate of the study area is characterized by low to
moderate precipitation, substantial evaporation, low humidity, moderate
to intense winds, and a large daily range in temperature. At Las
Animas, the mean annual temperature is 54.5 deg. F, with the mean
January temperature of 29.6 deg.F, and the mean July temperature of
79.3 deg F. The average high temperature in July is 96,.9 deg. F and
the average low is 62 deg F. The average time between killing frosts
is about 175 days. The last killing frost generally occurs in late
April, and the first killing frost occurs in mid-October.

The mean annual precipitation at John Martin Dam is 11.7 inches. About
75 to 80 percent of the annual precipitation falls as rain during the
growing season. Lamar's conditions are nearly the same.

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