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B. Hayland: Alfalfa grass mixture is presently being grown <br />on the majority of the land farmed west of County Road 53 and <br />is under an irrigation system. Irrigation water is being ap- <br />plied via a gated pipe and a pivot sprinkler system. Harvest- <br />ing includes the use of farm machinery and aftermath grazing <br />by livestock. <br />C. Pastureland: Introduced grass species are dominant in pasture <br />9. The forage produced is generally grazed annually by cattle, <br />prairie dogs, and other wildlife passing through the area from <br />time to time. <br />D. Rangeland: Native vegetation dominates the majority of most <br />plant communities; however, there are several patches of intro- <br />duced species, such as cheat grass (Bromus tectorum and Poa <br />pratensis) and Kentucky bluegrass that are scattered throughout <br />the range ecosystems. Over-use by grazers and continued graz- <br />ing during the same seasons year after year have caused the <br />range lands to deteriorate into their present fair-to-poor <br />condition (ecologically) classification. <br />' E. Other land: Field X11 appears to have recently supported corn, <br />as evident by crop residues. In addition to the corn crop, <br />there are several wooded areas adjacent to streams and canals <br />scattered throughout the property, especially in the south <br />• region of Dowe Flats. <br />1 IV. INVESTIGATIONS <br />A. Climate <br />Specific temperature and precipitation data for the Dowe Flats <br />area are not available; however, Dowe Flats has a mountain- <br />like climate on the surrounding ridges and a high plains climate <br />throughout the valley floor. Difference in altitude and ex- <br />posure create great variations in both temperature and precipi- <br />tation. In general, higher elevations are cooler than lower <br />elevations and northern exposures are cooler than southern <br />exposures. The mean annual air temperature for the area is <br />48° to 52° F, and the average frost-free period ranges from <br />130 to 155 days. <br />The overall climate of the area is semi-arid with warm summers <br />and mild to cold winters. The average annual precipitation <br />for the region ranges from about 14 to 17 inches. Normally, <br />the spring precipitation falls as heavy wet snow or rain, while <br />the summer moisture may vary from gentle showers to locally <br />severe hail and electrical storms. Winter snows are generally <br />accompanied by warm, drying Chinook winds. Occasional blizzards <br />with rapid accumulations of deep snow, can occur. <br />3 - <br />