The Upper San Juan River COA covers approximately 20,990 ha (51,866 ac) in the northwestern corner of the state. It begins about 17 km (11 mi) upstream of Bloomfield and extends along the San Juan River to the Colorado state line. This COA includes portions of the San Juan River corridor, its surrounding landscapes, and the Navajo Reservoir.

Approximately 41% of this COA is managed by the BOR, 31% by the BLM, and 21% is privately owned. The remaining 8% falls under the management of the SLO, while a negligible portion (<0.5%) is overseen by the Department. Only about 6% of the COA is currently protected.

The COA supports 14 native vegetation habitats, two ruderal or introduced vegetation types, and agricultural vegetation, barren areas, developed and urban spaces, and open water. The dominant habitat is Colorado Plateau Piñon-Juniper Woodland (48%), with Intermountain Tall Sagebrush Shrubland (11%) also prevalent in upland areas. Although relatively narrow within the COA, the riparian corridor primarily consists of Desert Alkali-Saline Wetland (1% of total COA), Introduced Riparian Vegetation (1% of total COA), and Southwest Lowland Riparian Forest (0.9% of total COA). Given the COA’s proximity to urban areas, developed and urban spaces (3%) and agricultural vegetation (3%) are also somewhat common. Perennial aquatic habitats within the COA include 27 km (17 mi) of cold-water streams and 4,491 ha (11,096 ac) of cold-water reservoirs.

A total of 29 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including five classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and nine as Current Focal Species (F). This COA has high potential to contain microclimate refugia for reptiles and some potential to contain microclimate refugia for amphibians.

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document