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extensive cattail marshes. Some open water, generally surrounded or inter- spersed with cattails, was present in oxbows and slou~hs. Five important wetlands frequently mentioned in early descriptions are the Uncompah~re riverbottom, the Gunnison riverbottom, Happy Canyon, Sprin~ Creek and Dry Creek. These wetlands supported hi~h populations of deer, waterfowl and small ~ame; important sources of food and clothin~ for Indians and early settlers. Agricultural, residential and industrial development over the past 100 years have had an impact on these wetlands. Fertile riverbottom land has been drained and cleared for cropland. Livestock grazin~ has altered or destroyed the understory in the stands that remain often leaving only stark mature cottonwood trees. However, agricultural development also has created new wetland habitat, counteracting somewhat the loss of historic wetlands. The Gunnison Tunnel introduces additional water into the Lower Uncompahgre River Basin that irri~ates crops and supports valuable wetland habitat. Water seeps from earthen canals and supply ditches often saturatin~ the soil and supportin~ hydrophytic plants such as cattails, rushes, willows and cottonwoods. Open drains often support dense stands of reed canarygrass, willows and tamarisk. Return flows from irrigated areas contribute water to natural drainages, supportin~ native wetlands or creatin~ new ones. Irriga- tion induced or increased wetlands, including single and multiple water source wetlands, constitute almost 38 percent of the total wetland habitat in the study area. The small mammal and bird populations are important components of the food chain for lar~er animals. Many raptors have been observed feeding alon~ ditch banks and in seepage areas. In addition, small birds and mammals are important not only as raptor and mammalian carnivore food, but 111-6 001224