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VEGETATION <br />The vegetation within West Roatcap is typical of the other tributary drainages <br />in the area. Gambel oak dominates the steep slide slopes, while perennial and <br />annual grasses and forbs with some shrubs dominate the swales and openings. <br />Plant species observed were bluegrass, red top, bromegrass, slender wheat- <br />grass, western wheatgrass, and several species of weedy forbs. In the stream <br />channel itself were cottonwoods, willows, chokecherry, setviceberry, and other <br />low growing shrubs. There are no plant species that indicate subirrigation. <br />LAND USE <br />Domestic livestock grazing and wildlife habitat ate the primary land uses of <br />this area. Tn addition, wells intercept groundwater Elow in the Long Draw area <br />and wester is transported by a pipeline to Stucker Mesa for domestic use. In <br />the southern extreme of the West Roatcap Drainage area is the abandoned Fitz- <br />simmons Mine. No active mining is being pursued on the West Roatcap Drainage <br />area. <br />WATER RIGHTS <br />Within Roatcap Creek, 81.015 cubic feet per second has been decreed for irriga- <br />tion use and 5.01 cubic fee[ per second has been decreed for other uses such as <br />domestic, stock pond, and fish culture. Irrigation is the predominant use of <br />water from Roatcap Creek. Six irrigation ditches are currently adjudicated Eor <br />diversion from Roatcap Creek. Also, there is diversion of water from the Over- <br />land Ditch into East Roatcap and West Roatcap Creeks for irrigation use. Two <br />ditches show no water being diverted through them in the last 20 years. This <br />• is based on a review of available State Engineer's Office records and inter- <br />views with the water commissioners. <br />As was stated in the East Roatcap section, the water rights within the area are <br />primarily from the main Roatcap Creek. There is one conditional and one abso- <br />lute diversion of water directly from Weat Roatcap. The existing absolute <br />right is Wakefield Ditch. <br />Water is also diverted Erom Overland Ditch to West Roatcap and diverted out of <br />West Roatcap into Wakefield Ditch and [o the Wakefield Mesa area. The water <br />rights are typically for irrigation use within the Roatcap Drainage Area. <br />• <br />