PROJ00414

• Contract/PO #: C153326
• Contractor Name: Fruitland Mesa Water Conservancy District
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 0
• County: Montrose
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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annual precipitation is 10.8 inches. The frost-free period is about
135 days per year on the average.

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The temperature records maintained at the Crawford station,

located immediately to the north of the project area, show the extreme

temperatures of 930F and -250F. The average annual temperature is

45.60F.

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B. Problems and Needs

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The major problem, which is to be addressed in this study. is

inadequacy of irrigation supplies in the project area. The estimated

water shortages on the presently irrigated areas average about 33

percent [2]. This estimate is also supported by the local farmers.

The available irrigation supplies are undependable. These factors

have caused the farmers and the ranchers to reduce cultivated areas by

concentrating water on fewer fields to meet the irrigation demands of

those areas fully.

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The irrigation water shortage is further aggravated by the fact

that most of the water supply problems occur late in the irrigation

season when the crops are maturing and steady water applications are

required. The result is smaller crop yields and financial loss to the

farmers.

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The need is, therefore, to make the best use of the available

sources of water--by diversion, by increasing storage capacity in the

system, and by improving the overall management of the land and water

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resources.

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According to the W.P.R.S. [2], the National Park Service and the

Bureau of Land Management have indicated their water need on the order

of 15 acre feet annually for public use at recreation facilities and

for livestock use on the lower Fruitland Mesa.

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