Plants of Sweitzer Lake State Park

Sweitzer Lake State Park is located 3 miles south of the town of Delta, CO. The park lies at 5,000 feet elevation and encompasses about 137 acres of water and about 70 acres of land at the toe of the Garnet Mesa. The area is semi-arid with an average annual precipitation of about 12 inches. The dry climate is coupled with moderate winters, and hot summers. The main vegetation communities found at the park are: saline bottomland (greasewood shrublands), alkaline wet meadows, mat saltbush shrublands, emergent wetlands and riparian shrublands. The presence of the system of canals and the return flows routed through Sweitzer Lake has created an oasis in this desert environment. The presence of the large body of water and wetlands provide unique habitats for wildlife species within the arid western slope. less ↑