WSP01535

• File Number: 8200.750
• Description: San Juan River General
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 12/1/1986
• Author: Western Research Cor
• Title: Economic Analysis of Potentially Irrigable Parcels in the Animas and Florida Watersheds - December 1986
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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0015J9

2.0 Soil Suitability

The Level A economic analysis considered several alternative

cropping patterns for each climatic zone, and derived an estimated

repayment capacity based upon that cropping pattern that maximized

on-farm returns. No distinctions were made between various land

classes in developing the Level A repayment capacities. Instead, the

favorable assumption was made that all parcels were capable of

producing crops and yields associated with Class 1 soils.

In some cases, however, individual parcels are unsuitable for the

cropping patterns associated with Class 1 soils. Thus, the first step

in the Level B economic analysis was to substitute an appropriate

cropping pattern, if necessary, based upon the land classification of

the parcel under consideration. The crop suitability assessments were

based upon the results of the agronomic study conducted by Boyle

Engineering. Once an appropriate cropping pattern was substituted,

on-farm returns were recalculated using the new cropping pattern, and

appropriate adjustments were made to the repayment capacity estimate

for the parcel.

3.0 Land Clearing and Preparation

The Level A economic analysis included the costs of seedbed

tillage operations necessary to establish irrigated crops on untilled

soil. The Level A analysis did not, however, include the costs of

canopy and brush removal costs prior to seedbed preparation. These

costs were omitted from the Level A analysis because they can vary

from parcel to parcel depending upon the extent of canopy cover. To

estimate canopy and brush removal costs, parcels were classified into

2

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