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J.;';~, ,.:t:;,; '.. tJJ o ~o OJ .~;:;;j . .::~ .'. ~\.~:. , The westernmost district is the Cudei Irrigation District. This district is in Reach 5 downstream of the Hogback 1.0. and contains a little less than 550 acres of reservation cropland. Allricultural and Socioeconomic Conditions The climate of the study area is cool continental. Precipitation averages about seven inches per year. The growing season is from 140 to 160 days. Supplemental irrigation is necessary to grow crops. The most widely planted crops include alfalfa, corn, and irrigated pasture. Other crops include wheat, barley, and other small grains; dry beans and other field crops; and melons, squash, potatoes, and other vegetables. There are several small fruit orchards along the flood plain. Table 2 shows approximate acreages of crops grown during the 1992 cropping season. TABLE 2 -- Approximate Crop Acres by Irrigation District, San Juan Salinity Control Study, Navajo Nat10n Unit Crotl Fruitland HORback Cudei Total Alfalfa 1,315 1,860 105 3,280 Pasture 385 205 55 645 Corn 350 720 80 1,150 Small Grain 60 30 5 95 Orchard 25 10 <1 35 Other (garden, melons) 100 435 25 560 Idle 1,090 1,275 270 2,635 TOTAL IRRIGATED 3,325 4,535 540 8,400 Riparian 1,655 3,755 600 6,010 TOTAL ACRES 4,980 .8,290 1,140 14,410 Generally speaking, farming on a commercial basis in the study area has been stymied by current land use policy, a general lack of agricultural credit, difficulties in operating and maintaining canals, and unpredictability of canal operation policies. Individual operations usually are financed with personal resources. Farm products generally are either consumed by the extended family or marketed from truck tailgates at roadside. 9