Laserfiche WebLink
1.2 Precipitation <br />Precipitation data presented on Table P and Charts P1 and P2 was recorded at weather stations in <br />Paonia and Cimarron, CO. The Paonia weather station is approximately five miles south of the sample <br />locations. However, data collection at this station ceased in 2016. Therefore, precipitation data was used <br />from the Cimarron weather station (approximately 40 miles south of the sample locations) from 2017 <br />through 2020 on due to its similar elevation. These weather stations provide a rough comparison of long- <br />term trends in precipitation in the region. However, the locations of both weather stations are considerably <br />lower in elevation than the sample locations and so precipitation totals are not likely to be completely <br />accurate. Based on these data and expressed vegetation in the reclaimed areas, precipitation totals appear <br />to have been above -average in the 12 months prior to the evaluation in June of 2019 and below -average <br />in the 12 months prior to the evaluation in June of 2020. <br />The overall average annual precipitation (Jan -Dec) for the past 83 years is 15.2 inches while monthly <br />averages range from 0.7 in June to 1.6 inches in October (Table P). Average summer precipitation was <br />3.1 inches while fall, winter, and spring average 4.2, 3.7, and 4.3 inches, respectively (Charts P1 and P2). <br />Review of the precipitation charts further reveals that growing season (spring) precipitation in the past 14 <br />years has been variable ranging from 1.0 inches in 2012 to 8.4 inches in 2019. This variation in conditions <br />ranging from drought to well above -average seasonal precipitation has contributed significantly to the <br />current expression of ecological communities across the study area. <br />Chart P2 indicates that total precipitation in the 12 months preceding the 2019 sampling effort was <br />above -average at 19.2 inches (126% of average). The 2018 summer and fall precipitation were 67% and <br />108% of average (2.1 and 4.5 inches), respectively. The 2019 winter and spring precipitation were 114% <br />and 198% of average (4.2 and 8.4 inches), respectively. <br />Total precipitation in the 12 months preceding the 2020 sampling effort was below -average at 8.8 <br />inches (58% of average). The 2019 summer and fall precipitation were 83% and 50% of average (2.5 and <br />2.1 inches), respectively. The 2020 winter and spring precipitation were 54% and 52% of average (2.0 <br />and 2.2 inches), respectively. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. 3 Bowie #1 Mine - Run of Mine - 2020 <br />Phase III Bond Release Evaluation <br />