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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />subregion in Colorado and New Mexico has now been largely <br />discontinued. <br /> <br />IIMining and agriculture form the economic base for the San Juan- <br />Colorado Subregion. The agricultural development is similar to <br />that of the other subregions with most of the crop land devoted to <br />livestock feeds but with production of diversified market crops on <br />lands with favorable air drainage. The main market crops are <br />fruit, vegetables, and dry beans. Oil, natural gas, and coal are <br />the most important minerals produced. There is also significant <br />production of vanadium and uranium. Gold, silver, and associated <br />minerals are produced, but their importance has declined consider- <br />ably from the boom production of the early settlement days. <br /> <br />. . <br /> <br />IIRecreation and associated industries contribute substantially to <br />the local and regional economy. The San Juan Mountains, known as <br />the 'American Alps,' are renowned for their scenic beauty and <br />recreational opportunities and attract vacationers from throughout <br />the country. The subregion also is noted for its national forests <br />and for its national parks and monuments, many of which preserve <br />prehistoric Indian ruins. It contains Bryce Canyon and Mesa Verde <br />National Parks and the major part of Canyonlands National Park. <br />Also it includes nine national monuments - Yucca House, Navajo, <br />Capitol Reef, Rainbow Bridge, Canyon de Chelly, Natural Bridges, <br />Hovenweep, Aztec Ruins, and Chaco Canyon. Also notable in the <br />subregion are the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the <br />'Four Corners,' the only point in the United States where four <br />st ates .j 0 in. Many recreat i on a 1 f ac i 1 it i es are prov i ded on the <br />public domain and by State, local, and private developments."[S] <br /> <br />The arid-semiarid climate of the San Juan-Colorado region features notable <br />variations in precipitation, affected primarily by moisture supply and <br />topography. Most of the precipitation is provided by Pacific air masses that <br />move inland from the west. Summer cyclonic thunderstorms sweep into the <br />southern portion of the region from the Gulf or Mexico. Canadian arctic air <br />can occupy the northern portion of the region during winter months. Since <br />the region is distant from major sources of moisture and the air masses cross <br />numerous mountain ranges en route to the area, precipitation is sparse except <br />in high mountain areas. Average annual precipitation varies from less than <br />6 inches in the lowest valleys to more than 50 inches in the higher mountains. <br />Average precipitation in the valleys and agricultural areas is from 10 to <br />20 inches per year. IIPrecipitatlon from late October through mid-April <br />consists primarily of snow, particularly at higher elevations. Annual <br />snowral I ranges from about 5 inches in the lower valleys and plateaus to 200 <br />to 300 inches in the higher mountains. Snow accumulations occasionally <br />exceed 100 inches at the higher elevations and do not complateiy melt until <br />late summer." [6] The frost-free period varies greatly with elevation from <br />20 days or less at elevations above 3,500 feet to more than :30 days at <br />elevations below 5,000 feet. <br /> <br />8 <br />