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There are numerous small lakes but no large bodies of water in or near the study area. The climate in the Steamboat Springs area is characterized by cool summers and severe winters. Normal annual precipitation varies with elevations and ranges from 24 inches at the valley floor to 80 inches (estimate) at high elevations in the Park Range (Reference 8). Most of the annual precipitation occurs as snow, and deep snowpack accumulates. Snowfall in Steamboat Springs averages 13 feet per year, but the moisture content is such that 1 inch of precipitation creates approximately 14 inches of snow. Two-thirds of the annual precipitation usually occurs from December to April, and snowfall in high elevations may total as much as 50 feet during this period. Snowpack normally begins to accumulate in late October and snowmelt begins in late April and continues well into June or early July. Snow is perpetual on some northern slopes in high areas. Rain may occur over the Yampa River Basin, and convective cloudburst storms frequently occur in summer. The average annual temperature is 380F, with an average high of 55.50P and an average low of 220P (Reference 8). The lowest observed minimum temperature recorded at Steamboat Springs was -50oP on January 12, 1963. Vegetation in the Yampa River Basin varies with elevation. Much of the valley is .devoted to production of hay, and the native vegetation has been radically modified. In valley areas below 800 feet that are not used for agriculture, vegetation is classified as northern desert shrub and consists of sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and winterfat with an understory of various hardy grasses. Subalpine forest (aspen, lodgepole pine, Douglas and other firs, and Englemen spruce) extends from approximately 8,000 feet to the timberline. Much of the existing timber is second gr~wth, the original stands having been destroyed by fires set by Indians in the summer of 1879 in protest against mismanagement of Indian affairs. Town of Yampa The Town of Yampa is located in the southwestern part of Routt County and lies approximately 25 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs, at an average elevation of 7,890 feet (Reference 8). The estimated 2000 population of the Town of Yampa was 443 (Reference 7). The town of Yampa receives approximately 16.5 inches of precipitation per year (Reference 8). The average annual temperature is 390P, with an average high of 53.50P and an average low of25.1 OF (Reference 8). Routt County Routt County is located in northwestern Colorado, adjacent to the Wyoming border. It is bordered by Carbon County, Wyoming, to the north; Jackson and Grand Counties to the east; Eagle County to the south; and Garfield, Rio Blanco, and Moffat Counties to the west. The county seat is the City of Steamboat Springs, in the east-central portion of the county. The estimated 2000 population of Routt County was 19,690 (Reference 7). 16