WSP04498

• File Number: 8276.120
• Description: Grand Valley Unit-Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1983
• Title: Supplement To Definite Plan Report: Stage Two Development Grand Valley Unit
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Definite Plan Report

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CHAPTER II

UNIT SETTING

whooping crane occurs 10 the valley as a migrant due to a program involv-

ing the use of greater sandhi 11 cranes as foster parents for whooping

crane chicks.

As a result, several whooping cranes now accompany the

sandhill cranes on migrations through western Colorado.

The bald eagle

IS a common winter resident along the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. The

unit area IS not considered a critical habitat for any of these species.

None of the plant species found in the Grand Valley lS listed in the

Smithsonian Institution threatened or endangered species list of 1975 or

on the June 1976 list of proposed threatened or endangered plant specles

prepared by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sclerocactus glaucus, a

threatened species of cactus, occurs around the fringes of the valley.

The Colorado River provides habitat for both the endangered Colorado

squawfish and humpback chub which have been observed in the unit area.

Social and Economic Characteristics

Population

Mesa County IS the regional trading center for much of western

Colorado. According to the 1980 census, the population of the county is

81,530 and has increased 49.9 percent from 1970 to 1980 at a rate of 4.1

percent annually. The county's largest city, Grand Junction, with a 1980

populat i on of 28,144, represents the 1 arges t urban center In the uni t

area.

The population of the other major communities are as follows:

Fruita, 2,810; Clifton, 5,223; and Palisade, l,55l (1980 census data)..!)

1/ The rural communities of Lorna and Mack have no community infra-
structure and, therefore, no population figures are available.

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