PROJ00357

• Contract/PO #: C153383
• Contractor Name: Grand Mesa Water Conservancy District
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 0
• County: Delta
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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respectively, while the population of Delta County itself increased 39

percent. Agriculture and mining are the basic industries in the area although

recreation-oriented business obtain sizable income from numerous tourists

passing through the area on their way to and from Grand Mesa. Fruit

production and processing are the major sources of agricultural income, and

apples are the most important fruit grown. Income from cattle and sheep is

second in importance to that obtained from fruit-oriented operations. Mining

of coal increased in neighboring areas in the 1970's due to energy shortages.

Economic developments associated with recreational activities are

predominantly service oriented.

Without project development the agricultural economy would not be

expected to change significantly. Some increased farm income would result as

new orchards come into production, but without increased water development

this increase would be limited. There is a possibility of some increase in

off-farm income from new industrial developments and accelerated coal mining

activity in the surrounding areas. As the population and recreation demands

increase water storage and transportation facilities will need improvement or

enlargement.

CLIMATE

The high elevation of the Project area influences the climate favorably.

Cold winter air drains to lower elevations in the Gunnison River Valley.

Winter minimum temperatures average near 20. F with the lowest on record

reaching -23. F. Summers are cool. Summer temperatures are reduced by

mountain breezes and afternoon orographic cooling. Mean daily maximum for the

summer months is' near 80. F and daily maximums rarely exceed 100. F. The

average period of daily minimums above 32. F is 146 days. The growing season

is generally accepted to be close to 180 days.

Average monthly precipitation is shown with the temperature data in Table

1-1. The annual total of 11.5 inches is distributed fairly evenly throughout

the year. A slight increase occurs during August, September, and October.

Winter precipitation falls mainly as snow.

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