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11 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 0549 Economic and Demoaraonic Data The economy of the watershed and surrounding area is heavily dependent on agriculture. Family farms are the predominate type. Within the watershed boundaries there are about 93 rural landowners with individual irrigated units 320 acres or less in size. There are about 71 landowners with units 321 acres or more in size. Cash crop production and livestock operations are the major enterprises. Irrigation water is supplied to the watershed by the Fort Lyon Canal Company. The Fort Lyons' earliest water right decrees date prior to 1884 making it one of the earliest decreed ditches on the Arkansas River. Between 100,000 and 400,000 acre feet of water are diverted for 91,000 acres by the Fort Lyon Canal Company each year with an average of 232,000 acre feet. The total average annual water supply is about 400,000 acre feet. The 91,000 acres are supplied with irrigation water by the Fort Lyon Canal Company diversions, reservoir storage, and by approximately 40 private irrigation wells. The population of the watershed and surrounding area consists of 74% white, 24% Hispanic, and 2% other races. An estimated 50.4% of the watershed is comprised of women. The per capita income of the area (1990 census) is $9500 as compared to the state average of $14,800. 16.5% of the families are below the poverty level. 9.7 % Of the population have a work disability. The average age is 34. The March 1994 unemployment rate is 6.2% . The McClave subdivision of Bent County (population 816) and the Prowers County town of Wiley (population 421) are located within the watershed. Lamar (population 8343) is on the east edge and Las Animas (population 2362) is just west of the watershed. Transportation routes include U.s. highways 287 running north and south and U.s. highway 50 running east and west. There are also many secondary and county roads. Wildlife Unpredictable precipitation is part of the climatic picture that combines with other climate factors to create a harsh environment for wildlife. The watershed rests in what is considered a historical short grass prairie. Many of the traditional wildlife species still exist in the area. Suitable habitat for the following threatened or endangered species is found in or near the watershed: bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), whooping crane (Grus americana), eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis), least tern (Sterna antillarum), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), and black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) . Several other species are proposed for listing as threatened or endangered species including the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi), mountain plover (Charadrius montanus), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalisl, southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax railli extimus), black tern (Chlidonias niger), swift fox (vulpes velox), Arkansas darter (Estheostoma cragini), speckled chub (Extrarius aestivalis tetranemus), and Colorado green gentian (Frasera Coloradensis) .