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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I C. upper basin (above the Mesa Verde Formation) is concave shaped, Le., slopes start at about 10% in the lower sections, and gradually steepen to vertical cliffs at the upper part. There are occasional flat meadows, which are probably the top of old slump blocks. Average annual precipitation in the upper basin ranges from approximately 10 inches at elevation 5000 ft., to over 25 inches on top of Grand Mesa. Approximately % of the annual precipitation occurs as snowfall during the months of October through April. Because of the relatively high permeability of the landslide deposits in the upper basin, much of the precipitation drains downward into the soil. Much of it appears later further downhill in springs and as seepage into the surface water drainages. Figure IV-3 shows a typical hydrologic cycle through the soil layers. About ~ of the annual runoff occurs during the snowmelt period from April through July. Peak flow generally occurs from late May to early June. 3. T .and Ownership The Town of Palisade owns most of the land within the drainage area (Figure IV-4). The land they own was formerly part of the Lloyd Ranch and was purchased in the 1950's. Much of the upper portion of the basin is owned by the City of Grand Junction (the old Somerville Ranch), although there is a section of BLM land on the upper rim. The lower part of the basin is also administered by BLM (Bureau of Land Management). DESCRIPl10N OF RAW WATER COLLECTION FACILITIES 1. History of System Water rights records indicate that Rapid Creek and its tributaries have been the primary source of raw water for the Town of Palisade for almost 90 years. In 1908, the Town of Palisade acquired the Grapevine Ditch (which has an appropriation date of 1885) through condemnation. This ditch is located near the Town's existing water treatment plant. In 1928, the Town purchased the Crawford Ditch, which is located approximately I-1h miles upstream, and has an appropriation date of 1890. In 1950, the Town acquired two water rights in the upper basin, these being the Reservoir Springs Ditch in Cottonwood Creek, and the Kruzen Springs Ditch (which actually is in the Watson Creek drainage). However, it appears that the Town may have been taking water from the upper basin well before 1950. A document from the General Land Office (now the BLM) indicates that a right-of-way was approved in December 1930 for a pipeline in Cottonwood Creek. Town personnel indicate that there was a wooden pipeline in IV-3