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in precipitation amounts over the heterogeneous terrain of <br /> • west-central Colorado is related not only to the variation <br /> of elevation but also to mountain range orientation with <br /> respect to the large-scale prevailing wind patterns . <br /> For most places in the west-central ES study <br /> area, the greatest precipitation occurs in August , while the <br /> least occurs in June . However , at higher elevations , winter <br /> is the season of greatest precipitation, in the form of <br /> snowfall . <br /> Snowfall in the ES study area ranges from <br /> less than 20" at an elevation of 4 , 500 ' (near Fruita) to <br /> more than 300" at 14 , 431 ' elevation (near the summit of Mt . <br /> Elbert) . However , annual snowfall is determined not only by <br /> • terrain elevation, but by the orientation of mountains and <br /> mountain ranges as well . Elevations within the ES study <br /> area which are comparable to those of Mid-Continent ' s permit <br /> area (8 , 000 ' -11 , 500 ' ) experience snowfall which varies from <br /> 49" at Cochetopa Creek (Elevation: 8 , 000 ' ) to 343 . 9" at <br /> Bonham Reservoir (Elevation: 9 , 835 ' ) . The average snowfall <br /> for elevations from 8 , 000 ' to 11 , 500 ' in the west-central <br /> region is 166 . 4" (See Table III-F-1) . <br /> In the area around Coal Basin, data recorded <br /> at weather stations sited in Pitkin and Gunnison Counties <br /> indicate annual mean precipitation totals ranging from <br /> 14 . 95" at Basalt to 33 . 4" at Independence Pass . Snowfall <br /> annual means at the same stations range from 117 . 7" at <br /> • Basalt to 338 . 91" at Independence Pass . <br /> -7- <br />