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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />mountain plateau separates the Colorado River Valley, to the north of Grand Mesa, <br />the Gunnison River Valley and the North Fork of Gunnison River, both on the south <br />side of the mesa. In the irrigated area of the Tongue Creek basin, the climate is <br />semi-arid and relatively mild, The growing season typically extends over a period <br />of approximately 175 days (25 weeks). <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />! I <br /> <br />Rainfall during the growing season averages six inches, so agriculture is only <br />possible where irrigation water is available, Another six inches of precipitation <br />usually occurs during the months outside the growing season, but the timing of this <br />rain and snow makes it of little significance for agricultural purposes, <br /> <br />Fortunately, average annual precipitation at high elevations on Grand Mesa is two <br />to three times more than in the irrigated area. Most of this precipitation is in the <br />form of snow which accumulates until melting in the months of May and June, For <br />a month or two while accumulated snow is melting, streams flowing down from the <br />high elevations have high flows, During this period of high flows, the numerous <br />small reservoirs in the headwaters area are filled, as well as Fruitgrowers <br />Reservoir, which derives part of its water from Surface Creek. <br /> <br />The climatic conditions in the study area are favorable for fruit orchards, which <br />have been the most profitable agricultural enterprises in the area, especially on a <br />per acre basis. <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Section 3: Irrigation Facilities <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />In addition to natural creek channels, numerous canals have been constructed to <br />convey water from the creeks to irrigate cropland or to transfer water from one <br />creek basin to another. Among the more important canals in the Tongue and <br />Surface Creeks basin is Big Ditch, also known as Surface Creek Ditch, which <br />diverts water from Ward and Kiser Creeks, and transfers the water to Surface <br />Creek. The water is used in the Lower Surface Creek service area, Grandby Ditch <br />diverts water from Dirty George Creek for use in the Upper Surface Creek service <br />area, Alfalfa Ditch and Transfer Ditch both convey water to Fruitgrowers <br />Reservoir. Alfalfa Ditch diverts water from Surface Creek, while Transfer Ditch <br /> <br />11-4 <br />