Plate 15.—These two terrain types are superficially similar, but their differences in vegetation
make them distinctive. They each have a narrow range of associations usually found on them only.
COLORADO PLATEAD
HIGH PLATEAD TYPE
COLORADO PLATEAU
LOW PLATEAU TYPE
UTTtfe COLOBAOO RIVER
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Pig. 2.18 High plateau type. This sandstone plateau, at an
elevation of 8,000 ft., Is heavily forested with high qual
ity pine timber. The escarpment in the foreground Is the
Uogollon Rim which forms the south boundary of the province.
The local climate Is temperate with warm summers and moderate
winters. Thunderstorms provide considerable rain in summer
and there are heavy snows In winter. There Is a network of
poor roads, which are being developed into high standard log
ging roads as the virgin timber receives its first cut. The
plateau is very sparsely populated, but a few small settle
ments may be found, such as logging camps, summer ranch head
quarters, ranger stations and small communities subsisting on
a combination of dry farming, livestock raising and sawmill
work. Near Showlow, Arizona. October 1949.
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IRRIGATION BASIN
LOW PLATEAU '
Fig. 2.19 Low plateau type. This 7,000 foot plateau has a
vegetation cover of plnon-Juniper woodland and open grass
land. Plnon and juniper are short and crooked and are usu
ally used for fuel wood and fence posts. The grasslands
provide spring and fall range and occasionally winter range.
Thi» type of land has an adobe clay soil and Is occasionally
plowed for planting range grasses or for dry farming. The
local climate is a transition between temperate end semi-
desert. Enow does not last after winter storms and light
rains may be expected from July to September. Precipitation
averages 15" - 20", but is erratic. The plateaus may be
crossed on the rut roads used by wood haulers or on low
standard farm roads. Near Delta, Colorado. October 1647.
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING GVII-99