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the l'dcific 0':-..2.:1n.. The ocographic effect of the high mountains generally produces more snowfall on the western slopes. Infrequ8l'tly, severe floods are caused by rainfall during optimum conditions of snowpack depth and rate of temperature rise. During the summer, rainfall occurs throughout the region, but because of the elevation, the moisture supply is insufficient to produce significant floods (Reference 2). The climate in Routt County is characterized by cool summers and se:v-ere winters. The monthly average temperature in January is l5.0"F and 6l.90F in July. The mean maximum temperature in January is 29.40F and 83.0oF in July, and the mean minimum temperature in January is 0.6"F and 40.8"F in July (Reference 3). 2.3 Principal Flood Problems The flood hazard in Routt County downstream of Steamboat Springs results from Yampa River overflows. The Yampa River flows from the southeast to Steamboat Springs and then westerly. Slate Creek enters the Yampa River in the study reach. The potential for flood damage along the Yampa River is not great because of the lack of development. The flood hazard upstream of Steamboat Springs is also due to overflow from the Yampa River. This reach of the Yampa River flows northerly. Here, Oak Creek and other smaller tributaries enter the Yampa River. The potential for flood damage along this study reach is not great because of the lack of development. The largest flood recorded in the 65 years of record at USGS gaging station No. 09239500 on the Yampa River at Steamboat Springs, located at the 5th Street bridge, occurred on June 14, 1921. The peak discharge was 6,820 cubic feet per second (cfs) resulting from snowmelt and rainfall. This flood has a recurrence interval of approximately 50 years, or has a chance of 2 in 100, on the average, of occurring in any given year. Flooding problems in the vicinity of the commun1t1es of Clark and Glen Eden are d0e to overflow from the Elk River, wllich flows from the nurtheast along the northweste.rn boundaries of these two cornmunit ies. There are several small tributaries entering the Elk River within the reach studied.. The potential for flood damage al \1Clg the Elk River is not great due to the lack of development. Tne Elk River will overflow Routt County Road 58 during a lOa-year fl ood. The largest flood recorded in the 68 years of record at USGS gaging stacion No. 09241000 on the Elk River at Clark, located at Routt County Road bridge 129, occurred on May 23, 1984. The peak discharge of 4,910 cfs resulted from snowmelt. This flood had a recurrence interval of greater than 100 years, or less than a 1 in 100 chance, on the average, of occurring in any given year. The 1984 flood resulted in minor overbank flooding causing minimal property damages, except for local stream erosion. 4