2014-07-15_REPORT - M1988044 - Laserfiche WebLink

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forward when in fact precipitation in particular was less than expected on a daily or monthly basis rather than an annual basis. Nevertheless, the effective cumulative precipitation that is important for plant growth remained high for the rest of the year and for that aspect the annual graph is quite relevant. In 2014, the above normal precipitation continued, although February and March were a bit on the dry side. Temperatures were near normal until May when temperatures tended to be below normal and that continued well into June. In fact,by July 1 only about 5 days above 90 degrees occurred at DIA(and elsewhere in the metro area)when normal would be about 12 days. Summer finally arrived in early July with high temperatures and low precipitation. But by the time of this report writing that was already changing back to a continued tendency toward dampness and somewhat below normal or normal temperatures. It is common for the Denver area to experience pronounced drying in June and usually a heat wave of some degree from mid-June to about mid-July. So far, that normal pattern appears to have been reduced to only a week or two in 2014. Furthermore,with a moderate El Nino developing this increased moisture and reduced heat may continue through the rest of the year. Long term predictions are trending in that direction,but things can change quickly. One of the big puzzles in climatology is how these long term cycles like ENSO will behave in a changing world climate. Will they just behave normally and global climate change simply be a modifier or will global climate change alter the behavior of the cycles? At this point there are only theories,hypotheses and suppositions,but some interaction will undoubtedly occur. What those interactions will result in is the mystery. In conclusion, the weather and climate patterns since about September 10, 2013, to the present have certainly been favorable for vegetation growth and recovery from years and years of sub- optimal to disastrous drought conditions. In fact, to this observer,the vegetation at the Lowry Range is the best ever seen in nearly 20 years of regularly visiting the site. That applies to both the natural vegetation,but also the reclamation areas, and, unfortunately,the weeds as well. The better conditions favors all, including undesirable weed species,however this observer's 50+years of experience with the development patterns of vegetation on drastically disturbed land as well as the recovery on land with less disturbance than total disruption,the native vegetation at this site is not only holding its own in the competitive struggles with aggressive weeds but is actually improving in spite of the weeds. Wet and cool years like late 2013 and the first half of 2014 certainly has played a very large role in this development, but other factors also are of significance. Favorable growing conditions have certainly made it easier, but one must be careful to not place to much praise on climatic conditions. It is not the whole story. Drought years, ironically, have also contributed to this fine recovery. 2. Topsoiling-Topsoil was spread on approximately 32 acres for reclamation. A. Locations of topsoiling- Topsoiling occurred on the land on the south end of the older mining areas and on the west side of the main road. Status report for 2014 due July 15, 2014 Page 6 of 10