134 



The prospects for renewal of the forests after they have been destroyed 

 are not promising, especially on the Cedar and Pinon lands. The second 

 growth is usually the same as the original. 



The flow of water in the streams is more intermittent than formerly 



RIO GRANDE COUNTY. 

 (Area 1,300 square miles; estimated forest area, 275 square miles.) 



This county is situated va the southwestern part of the State. The 

 river Eio Grande del Norte enters near the northwest corner and flows 

 through the county in a southeasterly direction. The valleys of the 

 Eio Grande and its tributaries include good agricultural land, and the 

 most easterly tier of townships are of like character. The remainder, 

 and especially the western portion, is mountainous and covered with 

 Spruce, Aspen, Pine, Pifion, and Cedar timber. The narrow-leafed 

 Cottonwood grows abundantly and luxuriantly in the Rio Grande Val- 

 ley, east of the South Fork. 



Some years ago the Ute Indians destroyed many forest trees by re- 

 moving the bark; they also caused many forest fires. Of late years 

 lumbermen have taken more or less of the timber, and mining opera- 

 tions have been very destructive to forest growth. 



The flow of water in the streams early in the spring is greater than 

 formerly, probably owing to destruction of the forests, which occasions 

 early melting of the snows. 



ROUTT COUNTY. 

 (Area, 6,200 square miles; estimated forest area, 1,050 square miles.) 



This county is situated in the northwest corner of the State. It is 

 traversed from east to west by the Yampah River. This, with its trib- 

 utary streams, constitutes its water system. The surface of the county 

 is mountainous; the valleys for the most part are deep, and from one- 

 half to one and a half miles wide. Several large parks are included 

 within its boundaries. 



The forests are found mostly in the eastern part and in the north- 

 western corner. The heaviest timber grows in the main range, extend- 

 ing along the eastern border of the county. About 25 i)er cent, of the 

 forest area is good growing timber; 25 per cent. Aspen and Oak-brush, 

 good mainly for fuel; and the remainder has been killed by fire. 



The timber consists of Pine, Spruce, Balsam, Aspen, and, along the 

 streams, Cottonwood. There are some fine trees, but of medium size. 

 Pine and Spruce predominate. 



SAGUACHE COUNTY. 

 (Area, 3,150 square miles; estimated forest area, 1,175 square railes.) 



This county is situated in south-central Colorado. The Sangre de 

 Christo Range forms its eastern boundary, and the Main Range passes 



