Ecosystem Type: Shortgrass Steppe (Potential, currently about 7 ac. native). Mostly, grass/alfalfa hay and pastureland
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QTVR Panorama
of Quincy Creek Farm (633KB)
Geography (Click at end of arrow)
Location 703 East County Road 68 Elevation 5,260 - 5,310 ft. GPS (UTM) 13 T 496125 4507716 Lat./Long. 40o 44.387 105o 03.983
Range/Township Portion of the N1/2 of Section, Township 9 North,Range 69 West
See legal description in Fax documents.
Elevation is one-mile high and represents high plains, semi-arid climate. The climate is seasonable, with a mean annual air temperature of about 10°C. However, maximum air temperature in mid-summer may reach as high as 40°C. The low annual precipitation (25-40 cm) coupled with high evapotranspiration rates creates a soil water regime unsuitable for native trees and mesic shrubs. For the same reasons, water yield efficiency is only 10%. 20% percent of the annual precipitation occurs as snow, with the remainder occurring as thunderstorms.
During winter snow storms, xeric shrubs and planted shelterbelts, if present, act as wind breaks, causing snow deposition on the leeward side. Windblown snow at these warmer elevations is subject to redistribution and high sublimation (solid to vapor) and evaporation losses. Once the snow is deposited in drifts, sublimation rates are much less. Excessive grazing in this zone can lead to decreased ground cover and soil compaction and thus lower infiltration rates. Subsequently, soil loss can be high with intense thunderstorms and resulting overland flow.
Wind is ever present in all seasons but, is most intense in winter ans spring.