WSP07511

• File Number: 8220.117.D
• Description: Grand Mesa
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 5/1/1982
• Author: USDOI - Bureau of Re
• Title: Planning Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

CHAPTER I

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The climate of the area varies with elevation but overall the
aummers are pleasant and the winters fairly mild. Precipitation averages
just under 12 inches at Cedaredge in the project service area. Tempera-
tures in Cedaredge range from an average low of 16' F minimum in January
to a maximum of 87' F in July. The period in which temperatures are
above 32' F averages between 151 and 162 days while the growing season
(days above 28' F) ranges between 172 and 182 days annually.

The project area supports a wide variety of wildlife. The types of
wildlife vary from the service area to the Grand Mesa because of the
distinct elevation changes. Large numbers of deer and elk winter on
pinyon-juniper and sagebrush adjacent to the irrigated areas in the
project service area and Summer on Grand Mesa. Black bear are prominent
on the highest areas of the mesa and occasionally wander into the lower
elevations. A variety of small game animals, furbearers, and nongame
animals are found in the project area. Migratory waterfowl are also
common, especially around the reservoirs and ponds on Grand Mesa and in
the project service area.

Fishing opportunities are presently available on most of the natural
lakes and deeper reservoirs on Grand Mesa. These fisheries, consisting
of rainbow, cutthroat, and eastern brook trout, are stocked by the
Colorado Division of Wildlife. Drawdown of many of the Grand Mesa
Reservoirs for irrigation use limits sport fishing considerably. Many of
the south slope streams of Grand Mesa provide fair to good trout fisher-
ies in their upper reaches. Irrigation diversions in the lower reaches
of these streams seriously reduce their capacity to sustain fisheries.

The only energy resource found in the area is coal which is mined
in small quantities near Cedaredge. If the market for coal should
improve in the future, mining activity could increase. No gas and oil
have been produced in the project area according to statistics published
by the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation COllllnission. According to the
Bureau of Mines, no metallic mineral resources have been discovered and
conditions are apparently not favorable for their discovery in the
vicinity of project features.

Social and economic characteristics

About 5,000 people lived in the project area in 1980 and of these
1,184 lived in Cedaredge. Between 1970 and 1980, the population of
Cedaredge and the Orchard City incorporated areas increased 103 and
69 percent, respect ively, while the populat ion of Delta County itsel f
increased 39 percent. Agriculture and mining are the basic industries in
the area although. recreation-oriented businesses obtain sizable income
from numerous tourists passing through the area on their way to and from
Grand Mesa. Fruit production and processing are the major sources of
agricultural income, and apples are the most important fruit grown.
Income from cattle and sheep is second in importance to that obtained
from fruit-oriented operations. Mining of coal increased in neighboring
areas in the 1970' s due to energy shortages. Economic development s
associated with recreational activities are predominantly service
oriented.

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