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Show grown in the coastal area on a rotation basis with irrigated vegetables. In the San Luis Valley and below Elephant Butte Reservoir on the Rio Grande, and along the Pecos Valley below Alamogordo Reservoir, most farms are large enough to support a family. Some large com- mercial farms are found throughout these areas but are numerous only in the lower valley near the Gulf of Mexico. Between the Colorado-New Mexico State line and Elephant Butte Reservoir and along the upper reaches of the Pecos River, subsistence-type farms predominate. These areas are outlined on fig- ure 7. Here approximately 60 percent of the farm holdings are less than 10 acres in size. More than two-thirds of the farm families of the area had an estimated gross income of less than $600 a year in 1940. The economic plight of these rural people con- stitutes one of the major problems of this river basin. In addition to the social and economic prob- lems that occur in low-income groups, these people are faced with physical problems which they can- not overcome. The pressure of population has forced the extension of the water supply to the last acre of land possible to serve with their limited means. The efforts to meet the needs of subsist- ence have, in many cases, resulted in overgrazing, overutilization of timber resources, and other un- wise land use practices. Areas that once had suf- ficient irrigation water from perennial flows now suffer damaging floods followed by midsummer water shortages. The temporary diversion dams of the small community ditches have been destroyed repeatedly by floods and require increasing quanti- ties of labor and materials each time they are replaced. Mining.-The value of mineral production in the Rio Grande Basin is high. A wide variety of min- erals is produced commercially. Petroleum and natural gas3 nonferrous metals, and potash are of major importance. Oil and natural gas are the most important min- eral resources in the Pecos and lower Rio Grande area. Production of oil in 1947 was 210 million barrels and was valued at approximately 500 mil- lion dollars. Potash deposits near Carlsbad, N. Mex., are the basis for the world's largest potash production-valued at 27 million dollars annually. Copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc are produced throughout the upper portion of the Rio Grande Basin and have an annual value in excess of 40 mil- lion dollars. Other minerals include mica, fluor- spar, alum, turquoise, sulfur, gypsum, salt, and kaolin. The presence of these varied mineral resources may some day lead to further mineral extraction as well as expansion of mineral processing industries. Forestry.-The forest-covered parts of the basin are in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. No commercial timber occurs in the Texas part of the basin and less than 5 percent of the basin area in Colorado and New Mexico supports commercial timber. The present annual timber harvest is about 81 million board feet, of which 12 million board feet are cut from Indian lands, 23 million from State and private holdings, and 46 million from national forests. It is estimated by the Forest Service that a sustained annual cut of 96 million board feet can be maintained on national forest lands. Most lumber products are shipped out of the basin without being converted into manufactured products, thus depriving the region of an oppor- tunity to raise its economic status. Manufactured lumber products are shipped in from the west coast. Manufacturing.-Manufacturing consists pri- marily of processing of raw materials, chiefly agri- cultural and lumber products. Most of the raw materials produced are shipped to other localities for processing. The greatest manufacturing concentration is centered around El Paso, Tex. The processing and canning of fruits and vegetables is becoming im- portant in the citrus area along the lower Rio Grande. Recreation, fish and wildlife.-The tourist and resort trade is a major source of income in almost all parts of the basin. The recreation industry is estimated to provide over 150 million dollars in average annual income in Colorado and New Mexico portions of the basin. The combination of picturesque topography and enjoyable climate attracts visitors from all over the United States. The prehistoric sites and ruins of ancient habitations, the colorful history, the Spanish and Indian cultures still in evidence throughout the basin, the mesa landscapes and the rugged mountain wildernesses afford a wide variety of attractions. The southern part of the basin, because of its semi- tropical climate, has become a favorite winter resort area. There are two national parks, Carlsbad Caverns and Big Bend, several national monuments, some 120 recreation areas in national forests, five State parks and many private recreation develop- ments in the basin. 290 |