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upland areas with shallow coarse textured soils were occupied by the pinyon-juniper <br />woodlands. Since deeper soils are common in the study area, the sagebrush shrubland was <br />probably the predominant vegetation in the native landscape. Western settlers desiring to <br />convert native rangeland to agricultural ground, selected areas dominated by sagebrush <br />because these areas contained the deeper more desirable soils and more gentle slopes. <br />The incorporation of the Colorado Cooperative Company in 1894, completion of the Colorado <br />Cooperative Ditch in the early 1900's, and establishment of the Nucla community during the <br />same period were the driving forces resulting in the change from the semiarid natural <br />vegetation types to lands dedicated to irrigated agricultural production. The present landscape <br />and land use on First Park, and Second Park to the north across Tuttle Draw, reflects years of <br />development and management for irrigated hay, pasture and crop production. The irrigation <br />system reflects the typical mountain-type flood irrigation systems using gravity flow ditches, <br />laterals, and cut-outs to insure coverage over the irregular topography. Though the system is <br />inefficient in terms of irrigation water application and is dependent on large inputs of <br />manpower, adequate water supplies, intensive efforts by managers and reuse of water by <br />downfield operators has insured adequate production on the lands. Levels of production vary <br />. greatly with the amount and degree of management inputs. Deeper soils on landforms that are <br />less steep and more uniform enhance irrigation water management with consequent benefits to <br />production. <br />Agricultural production is concentrated on irrigated hayland and pasture. Irrigated cropland, at <br />a lesser acreage than the previous two uses, is generally devoted to the production of alfalfa <br />and corn silage. The reduced contribution of cropland to the overall acreage is a result of <br />terrain, shallow soils, and the need of a hay base for livestock. Livestock operations, both <br />cattle and sheep, are important in the area. The irrigated hayland and pasture resources <br />provide hay base and winter feeding areas for herds that are run on adjacent private, Bureau of <br />Land Management (BLM), and Forest Service (USES) rangeland during the spring, summer, <br />and fall months. In years past, orchard production was important as evidenced by the number <br />of abandoned orchards remaining in the area. Irrigated haylands are primarily composed of <br />alfalfa and various complimentary grasses such as orchardgrass and smooth brome. Irrigated <br />pastures are composed of a myriad of species, both desirable and undesirable, due to irregular <br />irrigation water application, lack of periodic tillage and pasture renovation, low levels of <br />• (REVISED 9/99) 2.04.10 - 7 <br />