FLOOD10474 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Approximate analyses were used to study those areas having a low development potential or minimal flood hazards. The scope and methods of study were proposed to, and agreed upon, by FEMA and the communities. 2.2 Community Description Jefferson County is located in north-central Colorado. It covers an area of789 square miles with mountains along the west and "semiarid" plains in the east adjacent to the City and County of Denver (Reference 25). In addition, Jefferson County is bounded by the City of Littleton and Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas Counties to the east; Teller County to the south; Park County to the south and southwest; Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties to the west; and Boulder County to the north. The population of Jefferson County was approximately 501,591 in 1998 (Reference 26). Most people reside in the eastern part of the county. Jefferson County was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The county was created in 1861 and was one of the 17 original counties of the Colorado Territory. The early history of Jefferson County centers on two groups of people: fur trappers and gold prospectors exploring the sands of Clear Greek for placer gold in 1858. According to the Colorado State Historical Society, a pioneer mining camp known as Arapahoe City was located a few miles east of the present site of the City of Golden in November 1858. Reportedly, George A. Jackson and John H. Gregory went on from there to make their historic gold discoveries near Idaho Springs and Central City. The development of Jefferson County began with the discovery of gold and the resulting gold mining. Other types of mining have gradually become more important than gold mining, with uranium currently one of the leading mining products. Agriculture also assumed a prominent role in the development of Jefferson County and, until the end of W orld War II, the county depended primarily upon a mining and agricultural economy. Industry, which has developed since World War II, has produced a more diversified economy. Federal and local government activities also playa major role in the economy of the county. Jefferson County is situated in an area of the complex Southern Rocky Mountain Province known as the Front Range. The Front Range and its accompanying hogback foothills, occupying most of the western and southern portions of the county, cross the county in a northwest-southeast direction. The remaining northeastern part of the county is composed of rolling hills, which taper off to what might be called the far western edge of the Great Plain area to the east. Elevations within the county vary from approximately 5,000 feet in the northeast to over 10,000 feet in the southwest. Jefferson County lies within the South Platte River drainage basin. The major streams originate in the mountains in the west and flow generally to the east toward the South Platte River, which forms the southeast border of the county. 9