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county seat. county. U.S. Highway 50 runs through the center of the One of the longest rivers in the U.S., the Arkansas River, rises in the central Colorado Rockies near Leadville, Colorado, and empties into the Mississippi River southeast of pine Bluff, Arkansas. The Arkansas River Basin above Canon City is characterized by high mountain valleys surrounded on three sides by mountains reaching a1 t i tudes of more than 14,000 feet. The basin is surrounded by mountain ranges that act as orographic barriers to major storm systems. Below Canon Ci ty the valley opens up into a wide river valley wi th less orographic barriers (Reference 3). In the past the Ute, Sioux, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Blackfoot, and Conunanche Indians all frequented the area. Many wintered at the mouth of the Royal Gorge, an area just west of the Territorial Prison on the west side of Canon City, taking advantage of the favorable climate. Even today the climate is relatively mild; the average winter high temperature is 540F and the low is 290F; the average summer high temperature is 770F and the low is 50oF. The average rainfall is approximately 14 inches, while average snowfall is approximately 15 inches (Reference 4). The area was first claimed as Spanish Territory and the area north of the Arkansas River was purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Mexico, having gained independence in 1821, claimed the area, thus becoming the third foreign country to lay claim to the area. The United States then annexed the area in 1845. The first territorial prison, still the area's largest employer, employing a total of 800 persons, opened on June 1, 1871. Above Canon City the basin topography is typical mountain terrain with characteristic alpine vegetation. Below Canon City the basin topography is much like that of the lower foothills and plains area. Vegetation is sparse within the basin, more so in the upper reaches, but willow, boxelder and wild fruit trees have grown along the banks of the drainage swales, especially in the lower areas of the basin. A prominent tourist attraction in the area 15 the Royal Gorge, considered one of Colorado's most magnificent and breathtaking sights. The narrow gorge, 1,055 feet deep, is spanned by the world's highest bridge. An aerial tram glides across this spectacular chasm, and the world's steepest incline railway travels to the bottom of the gorge (Reference 4). According to the 1980 U.S. Census, County has increased from 20,196 (Reference 5). the population of in 1960 to 28,676 Fremont in 1980 3