watervulnerability

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest Watershed Vulnerability Assessment, Rocky
Mountain Region (R2)
There are a total of 58 “High” risk subwatersheds for Erosion Sensitivity × Activity Stressors. The
majority of these subwatersheds are found in the San Juans, Upper Taylor, and West Elk geographic
areas. Twenty-three of these subwatersheds have a “High” Risk Rating just for Erosion Sensitivity ×
Activity Stressors alone, and 35 also have a “High” risk for Runoff Response Sensitivity × Activity
Stressors (compare with Figure 25).
Figure 25. Runoff Response Sensitivity × Activity Stressors Ranking
There are 63 “High” risk subwatersheds for Runoff Response Sensitivity × Activity Stressors. The
majority of these subwatersheds are found in the San Juans and Grand Mesa geographic areas. Of these,
28 subwatersheds have a “High” risk rating for Runoff Response Sensitivity × Activity Stressors, while
the remaining 35 are also “High” risk for Erosion Sensitivity × Activity Stressors (compare with Figure
24).
RESULTS (VULNERABILITY)
To determine relative vulnerability of identified aquatic resources to predicted climate change, we need to
combine all the pieces described above (resource values, risk [inherent sensitivity of the land and past
management], and exposure) to see where they overlap. Resources of concern are most vulnerable where
they occur in subwatersheds with highest sensitivity. The additional stress from climate change is most
likely to have greatest impact in these areas.
Method Used to Rank Resource Values Relative to Watershed Risk
The different aquatic resource values of concern identified for this WVA can be affected by
erosion/sedimentation and runoff in different ways. For this reason, the results of the two different risk
99 Assessing the Vulnerability of Watersheds to Climate Change