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3. Climatic conditions LGCU TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION Location Month TemDerature (dailv ave} PreciDitation Norm ave 1991 Norm ave 1991 Cedaredge April 47.6 43.6 .88 .78 May 56.6 56.5 1.08 .08 June 66.0 66.8 .73 .49 July 71.9 71.3 .93 1.54 Aug 69.6 70.3 1. 25 .46 Sept 61. 9 61.1 1.20 1.12 Delta April 50.8 48.7 .62 .03 May 59.7 64.5 .76 .02 June 68.2 72.6 .46 .11 July 74.0 74.8 ,67 .74 Aug 71.5 75.0 1. 03 .15 Sept 63.3 66.1 .92 .25 Montrose Apr il 48.1 45.7 1. 03 .36 May 57.0 56.2 .74 .45 June 66.4 65.5 .64 .27 July 72.1 70.2 .82 .57 Aug 69.7 70.3 1. 36 1.14 Sept 61. 8 61. 4 .99 .73 The 1990/1991 snow pack was normal, and this occurred following several years of below average. Precipitation during the growing season was considerably below average, across the LGCU, ranging from 63 percent of normal at the south end to 73 percent of normal at the northern end. At Delta (near the center of the LGCU), growing season precipitation was a mere 29 percent of normal. Using average monthly temperature during the growing season, weather stations across the LGCU showed a variation of from -1.17 degrees (below average daily temperature at Cedaredge) to +2.3 degrees (above average daily temperature at Montrose) . Variation between sites makes difficult a single statement addressing conditions; however, growers in the below average temperature areas commented on lower crop yields (specifically corn) due to this. 4. Objectives The M&E plan for the Lower Gunnison, Colorado Unit identifies the objectives as follows: 1) to assess effectiveness of USDA project action for reducing the salt load carried by the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers into the Colorado River, 2) to assess impacts of project action on wetlands and other wildlife values and assess the effectiveness of vol{rlt~~~ion by landowners to replace incidental fish and wildlife values foregone, 3) and to assess local economic aspects of project implementation. 5