WSP04624 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~. r- ('""; -' Creek, and from the east by Long Hollow. These streams, particularly Long Hollow, contribute but little to the water supply. Return flow reaching them, however, augments the supply for the New Mexico area. Climate In general, the climate of both divisions can be described as arid. Conditions are favorable for agriculture, providing adequate water supplies are furnished. During the growing season, roughly from May until September, hot days and cool nights prevail. Winter temperatures occasionally drop to-32 degrees F. on the Colorado division and to -18 on the New Mexico division, but in general winters are not severe, sunny days predominating. There are climatic differences for the two divisions that deserve consideration. Data in the following table are derived from records of the U. S. Weather Bureau at Fort Lewis, Colorado, and Shiprock, New Mexico, and are adjusted for local conditions. Climatic Summary Colorado Division - Red Average elevation Average annual rainfall April to September rainfall Mean annual temperature Frost-free period "lesa Area 6,800 15 8 46.4 126 feet inches inches degreeS F. days New Mexico Division 5,700 feet 11.7 inches 6.5 inches 49.5 degrees F. 145 days History and Settlement Farming began in this general area in the 70's, following closely the discovery of gold and the growth of mining in the San Juan Mountains. Irrigation along La Plata-River commenced in New Mexico in 1879, and in Colorado in 1880, except for the Red Mesa lands where settlement and development were delayed for 20 years, because until April 13, 1899, the Red Mesa area was a part of the ute Indian Reservation. After this date, settlement and development progressed rapidly. The effect of diversions by Red Mesa ditches was felt keenly in New Mexic 0 during the peri od of low run - off, 1899 -1904. Crops wore lost, land values declined, and many New Mexico water users became dis- couraged, sold out, and moved upstream to the Red Mesa area in Colorado. The New Mexic 0 water shortages of 1899 to 1904 led to the 1904- 1906 investigations of the Reclamation Service (now Bureau of Reclama- tion), under Engineer M. C. Hinderlider, to determine the possibility of socuring a water supply from the Animas River for New Mexico land in La Plata Basin. However, this plan was abandoned because of the excessive cost of development. Water shortages reappeared in 1918. Again, when Colorado diver- sions and water consumption were so heavy that little water reached the "7