Laserfiche WebLink
1.2 Precipitation <br />Table P and the associated charts exhibit the seasonal precipitation that has occurred near the mine <br />in Palisade, Colorado over the past 13 years. The overall average annual precipitation for the past 102 <br />years is 9.88 inches while the monthly average ranges from 0.54 inches in January to 1.21 inches in <br />September. Averages for the past 102 years for seasonal precipitation is as follows: winter precipitation <br />averages 1.68 inches, spring precipitation averages 2.80, summer precipitation averages 2.26, and fall <br />precipitation is 3.14 inches, (Charts P1 and P2). Review of Chart PI further reveals that seasonal <br />precipitation from 2000 to 2012 has been variable ranging from a low of 0.53 inches in the winter of <br />2001 to a high of 6.47 inches in the fall of 2004. <br />The amount and timing of precipitation for the 12 months prior to each evaluation has played a <br />major role in cover and production values in both the revegetation and reference areas. Precipitation for <br />the 12 months prior to the 2011 evaluation was 89% of average (8.78 inches), with the summer <br />receiving 107% of average, fall 94% of average, winter 43% of average, and the spring 96% of average. <br />The fall and spring precipitation for the 2011 growing season contributed to abundant cheatgrass <br />(Anisantha tectorum) populations on the mine and surrounding native areas. Specifically, precipitation <br />received during the months of October and May greatly influence cheatgrass germination and growth. <br />October and May received 1.39 (119 %) and 1.37 (147 %) inches of moisture, respectively which led to <br />higher than normal levels of this invasive annual grass. On the other hand, precipitation for the 12 <br />months prior to the 2012 evaluation was only 52% of average (5.13 inches), with the summer receiving <br />50% of average, fall 22% of average, winter 133% of average, and the spring 38% of average. With <br />respect to cheatgrass, the prior October and May received 0.23 (20 %) and 0.28 (30 %) inches of <br />moisture, respectively which led to lower than normal levels of cheatgrass in 2012. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 4 Snowcap - Phase III Bond Release <br />Evaluation - 2012 <br />