Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />CHAPTER II - STUDY AREA <br /> <br />The San Miguel Project study area is located in San Miguel and Montrose Counties of <br />southwestern Colorado. The study area extends along the south side of the San Miguel River <br />from near the town of Placerville on the east to Naturita on the west, a distance of approximately <br />37 miles, About 20 miles west of the study area the San Miguel River flows into the Dolores <br />River, which then proceeds northwesterly into Utah where it joins the Colorado River. <br />Communities in the irrigation service area include Norwood and Redvale with a total combined <br />population of less than 1000. The major features of the study area are shown on Figure 11-1. <br /> <br />Local Economy <br /> <br />The agricultural economy of the area has been dependent mainly upon the production of <br />livestock (cattle and sheep) and feed crops. Hay grasses with some legumes for pasture, <br />alfalfa and lesser quantities of small grains, oats, feed barley and silage corn are produced. <br />The short growing season, limited irrigation deliveries, and the distance from marketing centers <br />are considered the major reasons for the livestock/feed crop nature of agriculture in the area. <br /> <br />Some transition in the agricultural economy has occurred during the last few years as larger <br />landholdings in the Norwood area have been subdivided into smaller units. These smaller <br />agricultural units are often owned by "gentlemen farmers" who have an additional source of <br />income. They generally consist of rural homes associated with a few acres of pasture used to <br />support a small number of horses. <br /> <br />The non-agricultural economy in the past was generally dominated by mining and mineral <br />processing. As these activities have declined during the last few years, recreation and related <br />service activities, such as hotels and restaurants, have become increasingly important sources <br />of employment in the study area. It is reported that a significant number of people commute <br />from the Norwood-Redvale area to jobs in and around Telluride. <br /> <br />Physical Characteristics <br /> <br />The San Miguel Project study area is located in a geologically unique region with the San Juan <br />Mountains to the south and east and the Uncompahgre Plateau to the north. The study area is <br />underlain by sedimentary strata consisting primarily of sandstones, shales and mudstones. <br /> <br />10 <br />