Laserfiche WebLink
<br />, <br /> <br />CHAPTER IV <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF AREA <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Green River, from where it leaves the canyons in Dinosaur <br />National Monument to where it leaves the study area, is a slow mean- <br />dering stream. It is usually somewhat turbid through this reach. <br /> <br />Climate <br /> <br />The climatic conditions vary greatly in the Yampa-White River area <br />because of the wide range in elevation. Near desert conditions are <br />found at the lower elevations in the western part of the area, while <br />alpine conditions exist along the Continental Divide and on the peaks of <br />the White River Plateau. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- <br />tration maintains weather stations at Ouray, Rangely, Meeker, Craig, and <br />Steamboat Springs. These stations provide climatic data for the lower <br />elevations, but do not adequately cover the high mountains where year- <br />round temperatures are much lower and unofficial reports of 40 inches or <br />more of annual precipitation are common. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The study area is somewhat exposed to winds from the northwest, <br />west, and southwest. The usual storm courses, however, are fairly well <br />north of the region in winter, and weather changes are seldom sudden <br />or severe. There is much clear, open weather with comparatively uniform <br />temperature conditions from day to day. The temperature is moderately <br />high in summer, and daytime temperatures are usually pleasant in winter. <br />Radiation conditions are good and night temperatures are moderately low, <br />especially in winter when snow covers the area and when cold waves move <br />in from the north or northwest. The maximum recorded temperature in <br />the area is 1050 F. at Ouray, while the minimum recorded temperature <br />is _540 F. at Steamboat Springs. !lean July temperatures for the area <br />range from 82 to 940 F., while mean minimum winter temperatures range <br />between -1 and 50 F. The average frost-free period for agricultural <br />lands in the project area ranges from 30 days at Steamboat Springs to <br />118 days at Rangely. <br /> <br />The average annual precipitation over the area varies from about 24 <br />inches at Steamboat Springs, and probably more at the higher elevations, <br />to about 6 inches at Ouray. The amounts are fairly uniform from month <br />to month, there being no periods of conspicuously heavier or lighter <br />precipitation. The climatic data for the area are summarized in the <br />table on the following page. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />29 <br />