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Because of substantial development in the Grand Junction area and anticipated development in the Gateway area, it was agreed by Mesa County, the CWCB, FEMA, and the COE that selected streams in those areas would be studied by detailed methods. Areas not included in this study are the Towns of Collbran, DeBeque, Fruita, and Palisade; the City of Grand Junction; White River, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Manti-La Sal National Forests; and Colorado National Monument. The area of study is shown on the Vicinity Map (Figure 1). The areas studied by detailed methods were selected with priority given to all known flood hazards and areas of projected development or proposed construction through 1995. The Gunnison River, the Dolores River, two additional reaches of the Colorado River located immediately upstream and downstream of the detai led study reach, Buzzard Creek, Reed Wash, Mesa Creek, Plateau Creek, Grove Creek, and West Creek were studied by approximate methods. 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, the eWeB, the COE, and Mesa County. 2.2 Community Description Mesa County occupies a roughly triangular-shaped area in west- central Colorado. It is approximately equidistant from the northern and southern borders of the state, and its western boundary is the Utah-Colorado State line. It adjoins Garfield County on the North and Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, and Pitkin Counties, respectively, from west to east along its southern boundary. The county covers an area of more than 3,300 square miles. It extends approximately 85 miles along its northern boundary, 60 miles along its western boundary, and approximately 105 miles from its southwestern to northeastern corners. By major highways, central Mesa County is approximately 275 miles southeast of Salt Lake City and 250 miles west of Denver, the two closest major metropolitan areas. The primary economic base of Mesa County has been agriculture since its establishment in 1883. However, nonmetallic mineral production has also been important and, in recent years, food processing and other manufacturing activities, construction, tourism, and recreation-associated businesses have assumed increasing importance. The majority of economic activity and the principal concentration of population are centered in an area known as Grand Valley, which comprises a large sector of the northwestern corner of the county. Grand Junction, situated in the southeastern end of Grand Valley at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, is the business and cui tural center of Mesa County and western Colorado. 4