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Mean annual air temperature is about 46 to 48 degrees F. The average frost-free period is about 130 <br />days. Additional climatological data is contained in Section 2.04.8 of this permit application. <br />Geology <br />A detailed discussion of the New Horizon geology is presented in Section 2.04.6 of this application. <br />Appropriate sections are summarized in the following text. The Nucla Syncline (San Migel <br />Syncline) is a northwest trending geologic structure which contains the coal reserves of the <br />study area. This shallow, broad syncline is a simple fold with gently dipping flanks. <br />The Cretaceous-age Dakota Sandstone is the youngest formation found in the study area, with the <br />exception of Quaternary deposits. The overlying upper Cretaceous Mancos shale (a soft, <br />homogeneous, dark-gray fissile rock) is not found in the study area. The Dakota consists primarily <br />of resistant yellowish to gray, fissile sandstone, and conglomeratic sandstones interbedded with <br />dark gray carbonaceous shales, impure coal, and a basal conglomerate. It forms resistant but thin <br />sandstone ledges that are scattered throughout the study area. These ledges are often exposed <br />at fhe surface or are encountered within a few feet of the surface. <br />~~ The deposits of Quaternary age consist of wind deposited material, streamlain alluvium, and local <br />slopewash. Deposits of a light-red sandy loam and loam loessial material mantle the nearly flat <br />mesa-like surface on the west side of the study area. <br />Soils and Geomorphology -1988 <br />The study area occupies the part ofthe gently sloping western portion of"First Park," an irrigated area <br />adjacent to Nucla on the east, south, and west. The study area is shown in Map 2.04.9-1. The <br />ephemeral drainages generally cross the study area from northeast to southwest. Numerous small <br />man made ponds have been created along many ofthese drainages. Calamity Draw flows from east <br />to west along the southern border of the study area. Sewage lagoons for the town of Nucla are <br />located adjacent to Calamity Draw. Tuttle Creek flows from east to west along the northern border of <br />the study area. Many of the irrigation ditches which cross the study area empty into Calamity Draw <br />and Tuttle Creek. <br />(REVISED 2/00) 2.04.9-3 <br />