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<br />- 12 - <br /> <br />they must work to improve the land has resulted in watershed improve- <br />ment. The primary problem is the need to strengthen family farms and <br />improve the economic conditions of low-income farm families and <br />communi ties. <br /> <br />The major problem in the range and forested lands seems to be <br />one of maintaining existing vegetation and easing grazing pressure <br />so that adequate cover will be re-established. These lands must be <br />protected from all damaging influences especially fire and over- <br />grazing. <br /> <br />The people are actively participating in the Soil Conservation <br />District and the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation programs <br />to improve land use and water management on all agricultural lands. <br />This participation must be increased and must continue indefinitely. <br /> <br />Floodwater and Sediment Damage <br /> <br />Floodwater and sediment damages occur in varying degrees on the <br />irrigated land to the Pine River Canal, and to roads and bridges along <br />the numerous small tributary drainages which empty into the Los Pinos <br />and San Juan Rivers. These damages result from runoff from high <br />intensity rainfall occurring in localized areas in the upper portions <br />of the watershed. <br /> <br />Floods in a number of channels have caused structural and canal <br />bank breakage with frequent loss of irrigation services to project <br />lands. These floods have also caused damages to irrigated crops and <br />cropland by deposition of sediment and debris, and damage to road <br />crossings and fences. According to watershed residents, damage- <br />producing storms occur every two to three years. Floodwater-retarding <br />structures located on the principal damage-producing subwatersheds <br />would substantially reduce floodwater and sediment damages. In most <br />cases, however, benefits will not support the cost of flood prevention. <br />On the two subwatersheds having the highest damages, Bert Stone and <br />Tunnel Hill Arroyos, approximately 313 acres of irrigated cropland is <br />subject to frequent flooding. <br /> <br />Erosion Damage <br /> <br />Erosion is moderate to high throughout the higher part of the <br />watershed above the Pine River Canal. Overflow from channels often <br />result in scour damage to irrigated lands. There is a need for <br />measures to reduce the present erosion rate. <br />