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<br />. . <br /> <br />CHAPTER II SETTING <br /> <br />from sandy to adobe. The irrigated gray soils have the potential of <br /> <br />producing eight times as much salt as the irrigated red soils. <br /> <br />Climate <br /> <br />The climate in the area is semi-arid with an average annual <br /> <br />precipitation of approximately 13.25 inches. The precipitation varies <br /> <br />from less than 8 inches in the western part of the basin to over 16 <br /> <br />inches in the upper reaches of the watershed. Precipitation in the area <br /> <br />is influenced by generally prevailing southwesterly winds and a rise in <br /> <br />elevation from southwest to northeast. The greatest amount of precipi- <br /> <br />tat ion normally occurs from October through April, with the least in <br /> <br />June. <br /> <br />The mean annual temperature at Cortez is 490 F. The temperature has <br /> <br />ranged from a low of minus 25' F to a high of 100' F. The frost-free <br /> <br />period ranges from about 133 to 141 days from the northern to the south- <br /> <br />ern parts of the basin. <br /> <br />Vegetation <br /> <br />Cultivated crops cover much of the unit area, with irrigated crops <br /> <br />predominating in the Montezuma Valley. Native vegetation in the area <br /> <br />varies with elevation and soils. Pinon pine and juniper are scattered <br /> <br />over most of the area and are interspersed with sal'ebrush. In addition, <br /> <br />herbaceous plants are found in the Montezuma Valley area. Pasture, <br /> <br />brush, and marshes are found in the valley bottoms. A distinct zone of <br /> <br />riparian vegetation consistinl' mainly of cottonwood and box ~lder <br /> <br />forbs, and shrubs is found a1onl' po4)ut4:S tcE Imo <br /> <br />trees, dense brush, <br /> <br />Creek and its tributaries within the unit area. <br /> <br />7 <br />