Watershed Work Plan for Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention West Cherry Creek Watershed

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- 5 - Economic Data A dairy and ranch type of economy prevails in the watershed. With the exception of wheat all crops grown are normally fed in the watershed. The principal crops grown in the floodplain and the percentage of each is as follows: ` Crop Per Cent Meadow hay � Pasture 2 ` Alfalfa 17 Corn (silage) 6 Small grain 5 Total 100 Alluvial valleys make up six per cent of the watershed area. These valleys produce most of the feed and forage necessary to carry the livestock through the non - grazing months and through limited drought periods. This is a dairy and ranch type of economy and these valleys comprise the economic heart of the farms and ranches. The rapid encroachment of gullies into these areas is lowering the water table and significantly reducing the yields of hay. pasture, and cultivated crops. Unabated encroachment of these gullies will eventually result in virtually complete loss of production in these key areas. Results of studies in similar areas show that the loss of production of feed and forage in these valleys would reduce operations of the farm and ranch units by as much as 70 per cent. There are no towns, stores, or railroads in the watershed. The watershed is adequately served by Colorado State Highways Nos. 50, 83, 212, and 216, the Douglas and E1 Paso County Line Road, and a system of county township roads. WATERSHED PROBLEMS The principal problems in this watershed are control of runoff and flooding which produce significant floodwater, sediment, and erosion damages. Floodwater Damage Flooding usually occurs in some part of the watershed at least once each year. The watershed area is subject to high intensity summer thunderstorms which cause floodwater damage to crops, roads, bridges, bridge approaches, fences, and meadow lands in the floodplain. Average annual floodwater damage is estimated to be $10,628, of which $4,563 represents damage to crops, meadow, and pasture, $1,291 to other agricultural, and 4 to bridges and approaches. Indirect damages were estimated to be • 10 per cent of the direct floodwater damages. Sediment Damage The principal sediment damage results from the deposition of silt and sand on floodplain land and thereby reducing their productive capability. Approximately 200 acres have been damaged or lost through sediment deposition in past floods. Much of the land that has been lost or damaged was sub - irrigated meadow land and therefore important to the economy of the area