WSP06308

• File Number: 8546.550
• Description: American Water Development Inc. - Litigation
• State: CO
• Date: 5/1/1977
• Title: Bianca Wildlife Habitat Management Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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?roduction area in the Central Fl:vay, but the total nesting habitat

~as decr~ased considerably since 1900 because of extensive egricul-

tural develo?ment and a decrease l~ the level of the water ta~le.

Habitat development at the Blanca wl1A has been primarily a BLX

runded program, but the HMP is a cooperative effort between 3LM,

Colorado Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Colorado Division of wildlife has management authority for all

wildlife in the State and has enthusiastically cooperated in and

approved this project. The Fish and wildlife Service has provided

advice on habitat development procedures and has conducted a ?re-

season waterfowl banding program at the area.

a. Phvsical Environment. The area is within the "closed basin

sump" and is comprised of numerous dry lake playas, partially

')

stabilized dunes, and dry basins with sandy hummocks. There

is no significant surface drainage from the area. Topography

is rolling with total relief seldom exceeding twenty feet.

Elevations range from 7,505 feet to 7,530 feet above sea level.

Temperatures vary from a high mean of 86oF. to a low mean or

minus 290F. The climate is generally cold with about one half

the days .each year falling to 160 or less during the night.

Only 107 frost free days OCcur each year on the average. Winds

are regularly strong (20-35 mph) from the southwest in the spring,

but they are light the remainder of the year. Dust storms and

soil movement by wind are normal during the windy season.

The following long-term averages were collected by the U.S.

)

-3-

-~ 1" "'. ft'-~..r -1
l!t/;,;/11.

10097