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INTRODUCTION LOCATION OF THE VALLEY The Urad Valley is located about nine miles west of Empire, Colorado, near the point where U.S. Highway 40 begins its steep ascent toward Berthoud Pass. Urad Valley (Woods Creek) begins near the small community of Berthoud Falls, Colorado (elevation 9,800 feet) where it branches off Clear Creek and runs roughly southwest up to the Continental Divide (approximate elevation 12,500 feet). CLIMATOLOGY Representative climatological data of the valley were ob- tained by the U.S. Weather Bureau at the Jones Pass Weather Station. The station is located two miles west of Berthoud Falls up Clear Creek Valley at an elevation of 10,324 feet above sea level. Data for 8 of the past 11 years indicate a climate very similar to that of the Climax Mine area (above Leadville, Colorado). The mean annual temperature is about 32°F with maximum and minimum temperatures of 76°F and -32°F respectively. There are generally only 45 to 60 consecutive frost-free days each year. Total annual precipitation ranges from 17.5 to 36.6 inches, aver- aging 24.6 inches. Snowfall accounts for most of the precipitation, amounting to about 200 inches/year. There are no available wind- velocity data; however, it is estimated that maximum gusts might reach as high as 70 to 80 mph. HISTORY OF URAD VALLEY Old-timers in the area indicate that the valley went by the name of Borakey Gulch during the 1800's. The name "Urad" is variously reported to be an acronym for "Uranium Research and Development" and "Uranium Research of America Division". No one seems to know who labeled the valley, but the name Urad has existed since the turn of the century. The valley has experienced significant human pressure since the early gold rush days. One of the earliest recorded, patented claims in the area was the original Colfax Lode. It was recorded as claim number 425 of the Dailey Mining District on July 1, 1874, and was located up Ruby Creek (Map 1). Up to the turn of the century, the main interest in the valley was gold and silver. In 1914, the Primos Exploration Co. began The production of molybdenum at the Urad Mine. The advent of World War I, and the success of German metallurgists in the development of molybdenum-hardened gun barrels and armor plate, resulted in the metal attaining high priority with the U.S. Government (far above gold). The Urad Mine was closed at the end of the war (1919) and was sold to the Vanadium Corporation of America. It remained idle until 1940 when the Molybdenum Corporation of America leased the property. (Continued on page 4) 1