WSP01912

• File Number: 8220.129.D
• Description: Upper Gunnison Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 3/1/1964
• Author: USDOI - BOR
• Title: Reconnaissance Report - Upper Gunnison Project-Colorado - March 1964
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER II

PRESENT AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

grazing privileges are possible, Any expansion of the livestock indus-
try is completely dependent on farm-produced feeds,

Approximately 95 percent of the presently irrigated land is used
for production of meadow hay and pasture, Any further diversification
of crops is prohibited by the short growing season. and yields of hay
and pasture are limited by farm,management practices and the poor dis-
tribution of water supplies, Only limited land development has been
accomplished and in most cases the land has been neither plowed nor
leveled, Practically no reservoir storage has been provided. and the
custom is to turn water into the meadows soon after the snow cover dis-
appears and allow it to run almost continuously until late July or Just
prior to the beginning of the hay harvest, While more than enough water
is available until July. severe water Shortages are suffered on the
lands in the late summer when the snowmelt has passed and precipitation
is low, The more desirable grasses are often crowded out by sedges and
other undesirable water-loving plants because of the heavy applications
of water early in the growing season, .

Existing Farm Ownerships and Operating Units

Farm ownerships in the Upper Gunnison River Basin vary widely in
size with some units containing less than 160 acres and some more than
800 acres, The sizes of ownerships in a representative study area.
which includes most of the Upper Gunnison River Basin. are shown below.

Irrigated area
i.n existing
ownerships
(acres)
160 or less
161-320
321-480
481-640
641-800
801 or more
Total

Number
of
owners
58
38
21
9
3
12
141

Cumulative
percent
41
68
83
89
91
100

,

The pattern of operating units in the area differs greatly from
the pattern of ownerships. In many instances small ownerships are con-
solidated and operated by one family. The very large holdings, on the
other hand. may be held in a single ownership under corporate or part-
nership arrangement but operated by several families. It is estimated
that operating units contain an average of 420 irrigated acres, with
accompanying range permits for an average of about 690 animal unit months.

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