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12 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I General Terrain. About 1/3 of the ranch land lies on the upper plateau of Grand Mesa, at the very top of the Lands End extension. The remaining 2/3 of the ranch land are on the southwest slopes below the basalt escarpment (Figure 111-1). The upper watershed of Rapid Creek drains the ranch on the west side, and the Tate Creek drainage covers the east side of the ranch (below the rim). The area below the rim essentially straddles a broad ridge which separates the Colorado River watershed on the west from the Plateau Creek watershed on the east. The ranch land on top of Grand Mesa consists of relatively flat, open grassland on a gradually sloping plateau. The area below the rim drops off from an elevation of about 10,000 ft. to a low of 6800 ft., and inCludes a number of moderate to steep slopes, covered with oakbrush and aspen. It includes a number of relatively flat areas caused by ancient slump blocks or rounded ridges. B. LAND OWNERSHIP AND LAND USAGE The boundaries of the Lloyd Ranch define the boundaries of the Project Lands. All Project Lands are owned by the Lloyd Ranch. The ranch has historically been used for cattle grazing, and it is the intent of the present owners to continue in this mode of operation for the foreseeable future. The powderhorn Ski Resort lies about 4 miles to the east and there is some potential for development for rural residential homes; however, no firm plans have been considered for this type of usage. There are no permanently occupied buildings on the ranch at this time. Some small areas on top of the mesa are leased for radio towers, airplane beacons and similar usages, but take up only a small acreage and do not interfere with grazing in that area. Irrioated Lands. Water diverted from the Rapid Creek Reservoirs has been used for irrigation of pasture land and hay land, and for stock watering. All of the land used for hay has been native grasses; there are no cultiVated crops, such as alfalfa. Although the overall average terrain is moderately steep, there are a number of relatively flat parcels which can be irrigated. The location of the irrigated lands are shown on Figure III-2, and are summarized below.