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<br />2.0 AREA STUDIED <br /> <br />2.1 Scope of Study <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />This Flood Insurance Study covers the incorporated area of the Town <br />of Rangely, Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The area of study is shown <br />on the Vicinity Map (Figure 1). The community is subject to flooding <br />from the White River, Dragon and st. Timothy Washes, and High School <br />Ravine. <br /> <br />It was agreed by town officials, the Federal Insurance Administra- <br />tion, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the White River (the <br />principal flooding source) and Dragon Wash would be studied by <br />detailed methods, because the flood plains of these watercourses are <br />most likely to be significantly developed. St. Timothy Wash and <br />High School Ravine were selected for study by approximate methods <br />due to the small size of their drainage basins. The reach of the <br />White River studied for this report extends from Colorado State <br />Highway 64, crossing upstream to the mouth of Douglas Creek. The <br />portions of Dragon and St. Timothy Washes and High School Ravine <br />that were studied are those within the Rangely corporate limits. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />The areas studied by detailed methods were chosen with consideration <br />given to forecasted development through 1981. It should be noted <br />that potential for development in Rangely is largely dependent on <br />expanded explorations of nonmetallic mineral deposits in the area. <br /> <br />2.2 Community Description <br /> <br />The Town of Rangely is located in the northwestern corner of Rio <br />Blanco County, approximately 18.0 miles east of the Colorado-Utah <br />state line and 57.0 highway miles west of Meeker, the only other <br />sizeable community in the county. The town is situated at an <br />elevation of 5200 feet and is approximately 70.0 miles north of <br />Grand Junction, Colorado, 180.0 miles east of Salt Lake City, and <br />200.0 miles west of Denver. <br /> <br />Rangely was originally settled in 1882 as a cattle ranching center <br />and center for Indian traders. The area was virtually unknown until <br />.the mid 1940s when a major oil discovery was made. Ultimately, the <br />Rangely Oilfield became the largest producer in the Rocky Mountain <br />region and the sixth largest in the united states. <br /> <br />f <br /> <br />r <br /> <br />Rangely is not on any main transportation routes, but it is connected <br />to both Meeker and Dinosaur, Colorado, via Colorado State Highway 64. ~ <br />Transportation facilities have been generally adequate to meet the <br />needs of the farm and ranch population. Because there is no railroad <br />line through Rangely, most livestock is shipped to market by truck. <br />The county airport, which has a 4500-foot lighted runway that can <br />accommodate light commercial aircraft, is near Rangely. <br /> <br />2 <br />