PROJ00159

• Contract/PO #: C153305
• Contractor Name: Dolores Water Conservancy District
• Water District: 0
• County: Dolores
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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B. CLIMATE:

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Low precipitation, abundant sunshine, moderate winds, and wide temperature

variations are characteristic of the climate in Montezuma and Dolores Counties.

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Maximum and minimum average recorded temperatures in the project vicinity are 860

to 920 F. in July, and 120 to 150 F. in January, respectively. Generally, the

length of the frostfree period is from mid-March until mid-November. However,

there is a very wide variation in climate from year to year and between the

average and the extremes. The following table, excerpted from the Wastewater

Treatment Facility Plan for cortez,!Q/ provides a graphic illustration of the

average monthly temperatures (degrees) and the average monthly precipitation

(inches) in the area. Readings were obtained over a 43-year period at a data

coliection station in Cortez.

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Table 2- i Average Monthly Te~~erature and Precipitation - Cortez
J F M A M J J A S 0 N D
Avg. Temp. 27.0 32.1 38.5 47.0 55.9 64.6 71.6 69.7 61.9 50.9 37.7 29,1
Avg. Precip-
itation .94 .97 L09 .97 .85 .52 1.19 1.55 1.39 L53 .81 1.17

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Average annual precipitation ranges from 11 to 13 inches in the service area.

Southwestern Montezuma County may have less than 8 inches of precipitation. In

the high mountains to the northwest, precipitation may be as high as 40 inches

per year.

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We do not expect any adverse effects on the project due to climatologi~al factors

such as high winds and hail, other than temporary inconvenience during the layout

and/or construction period. It is not unusual for construction projects, including

excavation for water distribution lines, to be carried on year-round in this vicinity.

However, construction may be interrupted in January and parts of February.

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