WSPC02374

• File Number: 8064.100
• Description: Ute Tribes
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 12/1/1986
• Author: Boyle Engineering
• Title: Southern Ute and Ute Mountain - Ute Indian Reservations - Agronomy Study - Sections 6-Appendix A
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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the climatic, soil, and water conditions of the project area.
Growers who farm in the vicini ty of the reservations were interviewed
to evaluate crop production practices, expected yieldS, and cropping
patterns. Similar information waS discussed with knowledgeable

government employees and extension personnel. Published data were

also obtained and reviewed. This data base was then used to
establish maximum crop yield estimates for each crop which could be

achieved under the most favorable climatic, soil, and water

conditions occurring in the project area. Crop yield estimates are
those expected to be average during the projected project life and
are thus higher than current averages. These yield estimates assume

a high level of management and on-farm development.

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The objective of this and related studies is to estimate the net
agricultural benefit to the Ute Indian reservations which may be
obtained as a result of the development and application of irrigation

water. This benefit is derived from an economic analysis which

determines the crop's ability to pay for water (payment capacity) in
comparison to the actual cost of providing that water. If the
payment capacity is equal to or higher than the cost of providing
water, then the land is judged capable of sustaining economic

agricultural production under irrigation. Some areas found

suitable for irrigated agricultural crops possess climatic and

natural resource conditions that make them potentially suited to
dryland agricultural production. The potential for dry land farming

in these areas deserves attention because it is conceivable that the

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