FLOOD11039 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The Colorado River approximate study extended from approximately 1,700 feet downstream to approximately 3,500 feet upstream of Grand Street. The Fraser River approximate study extended from the confluence with the Colorado River to approximately 8,000 feet upstream of US 40. The Fraser River and Tenmile Creek approximate study covers the area within the 1987 corporate limits and projected growth area. The length of the study reach is approximately 2.3 miles on the Fraser River and 2.9 miles on Tenmile Creek. The Elk Creek approximate study extended from the confluence with the Fraser River to approximately 4,400 feet upstream of US 40. The St. Louis Creek approximate study extended from the confluence with the Fraser River to approximately 2,200 feet upstream. 2.2 Community Description The Town of Winter Park is located in southeastern Grand County, in north-central Colorado. Winter Park is situated 69 miles west and slightly north of Denver, on the western slope of the Continental Divide. Most land in this area is in the Arapahoe National Forest. The Fraser River, which flows north through the town, is a tributary to the Colorado River. Its drainage area, from the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass to Leland Creek, is approximately 61 square miles. Its major tributary is Vasquez Creek, whose confluence with the Fraser River is located in Winter Park. Vasquez Creek flows northeasterly and has a drainage area of approximately 28 square miles. The study area represents a high-mountain stream regime. The highest elevation in the basin is 13,391 feet. The lowest elevation in the study area, at the lower end ofthe Fraser River, is 8,620 feet. The main classes of native vegetation are: lodgepole pine, Englemann spruce, and subalpine fir. Lodgepole pine is the predominant tree species in the lower elevations. Scattered patches of quaking aspen are found throughout the region. The forest floor is covered with a relatively thick layer of litter. Mountain meadows contain grasses, sedges, weeds, and willows. Willows are also found along the streams. All these forms of vegetation are typical of the Continental Divide zone of the southern Rocky Mountains. The major soil types are Cumulic Cryaquolls, Frisco-Peeler Gravely Sandy Loam, and Scout Cobbly Sandy Loam. The Cryaquolls is found at elevations of7,500 to 8,500 feet, generally on floodplains. It is poorly drained, dark colored, and may have a high groundwater table. It supports vegetation ofthe rangeland variety. The Frisco Peeler Loam is the predominant soil and occurs from 8,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation. This is a deep, well-drained soil which varies from 5 to 14 inches in depth and has a moderate surface permeability. The Scout Cobbly Loam is found at 10,000 to 11,400 feet in elevation. It is a grayish-brown cobby sandy loam covered with a 2-inch duff layer. It has a moderately rapid surface permeability. Upland areas ofthe Fraser River basin are undeveloped, forested lands. A ski area covers a large section of the western side of the valley. The land adjacent to the streams is in high demand for development because the economic base for the community is the Winter Park Ski Area, one of the largest ski areas in Colorado, and the narrow valley constricts the area available for development. The high altitudes and location in the mid-latitudes of the interior of the continent produce a large temperature range from near -40oF in the winter to 900F in the summer. Daily 4