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<br />SECTION 205 RECONNAISSANCE STUDY <br />FOR FLOOD CONTROL <br /> <br />HENSON CREEK <br />AT <br />LAKE CITY, COLORADO <br /> <br />1. Studv Authoritv. This study was conducted under the <br />authority of Secticn 205 of the 1948 Floc)d Control Act, as <br />amended (33 USC 701s). <br /> <br />2. Location and Description. The Town of Lake City is located <br />in Hinsdale County of southwestern Colorado at elevation 8,670 in <br />the San Juan Mountains. The town is at the confluence of the <br />Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and Henson Creek. Downstream of <br />the confluence, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison IHver flows <br />northerly for about 30 miles to its confluencelNit.h the Gunnison <br />River at Blue Mesa Reservoir. The town is accessible via Highway <br />149, which runs north-south and via Henson Creek Road, a rugged <br />dirt road which connects Lake City with Highway 550 near Ouray. <br />The nearest communities are Gunnison, about 50 miles to the <br />northeast, Creede, about 40 miles to the southeast, and Ouray, <br />about 30 miles to the west by way of Henson Creek Road. No <br />railroad or airport services Lake city. Plate 1 is a vicinity <br />and location map of the study area. <br /> <br />The town was incorporated in 1875 and has a winter <br />population of 330. During the summer, tourism and an influx of <br />seasonal inhabitants increase the population tC) about 2,500. <br />Lake City is the seat of Hinsdale Count:y. <br /> <br />The economy of Lake City is primarily based on tourism, <br />second home construction, and some ranching and hard-rock mining <br />in the outlying areas. The area provides tourists with typical <br />mountain resort activities including four-wheeling, sightseeing, <br />fishing, camping, mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking. <br />Local attractions also include arts and craft shops, a museum, <br />and exploitation of the cannibalism theme based on the famous <br />trial of Alfred Packer. The downtown area, which is subject to <br />flooding, is a State Historic Preservation District commemorating <br />the late 1800's mining industry in Lake City. <br /> <br />The climate of Lake City is influenced by 'i:he high elevation <br />and rugged topography. It is typically alpine, characterized by <br />cold winters with heavy snowfall, and cool, short summers. The <br />annual average temp'erature is about 38 degrees Fahrenheit, with a <br />mean January temper,:lture of 15 degrees and a mean July <br />temperature of 60 degrees. Average annual precipitation is 13.4 <br />inches. Precipitation in the upper portions of the basin exceeds <br />30 inches. <br />