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<br />2.0 AREA STUDIED <br /> <br />2.1 Scope of Study <br /> <br />This Flood Insurance Study covers the geographic area of Hinsdale <br />County. Colorado, and incorporated areas. The area of study is <br />shown on the Vicinity Map (Figure 1). <br /> <br />The area studied by detailed methods was selected based upon the <br />extent and validity of available existing hydrologic and hydraulic <br />data. <br /> <br />The area studied by detailed methods is comprised of the Lake Fork <br />of the Gunnison River from approximately 2,150 feet downstream of <br />the bridge at San Juan Drive upstream 2.7 miles to a point approxi- <br />mately 4,400 feet upstream of the confluence with Henson Creek, and <br />Henson Creek from its mouth to a point approximately 900 feet <br />upstream of the State Route 149 bridge. <br /> <br />Approximate methods of analysis were used to <br />remaining areas having a potential flood hazard <br />detailed scientific or technical data were available. <br /> <br />study <br />for <br /> <br />all the <br />which no <br /> <br />2.2 Community Description <br /> <br />Hinsdale County is located in southwestern Colorado. The county <br />seat is the town of Lake City, located in the north central region <br />of the county. The population of Hinsdale County is approximately <br />500 persons. The largest employers in the county are the various <br />governments; retail sales, however, bring in the most income for <br />the county. The population increases in the summer months due to <br />the influx of vacationers. <br /> <br />The climate of the county is influenced predominantly by the high <br />elevation and the rugged topography. Typically alpine, the climate <br />is characterized by cold winters with heavy snowfall (averaging 92 <br />inches at Lake City) and short, cool summers. The area experiences <br />occasional summer thunderstorms which are localized in individual <br />basins. <br /> <br />The topography of Hinsdale County is steep. The continental divide <br />crosses the county twice, with the highest peak rising over 14,000 <br />feet above sea level and the lowest location in the county being <br />just under 8,000 feet. The headwaters of the Rio Grande are also <br />found at the continental divide within the county. The county is <br />covered by three national forests: Gunnison, Rio Grande, and <br />San Juan. <br /> <br />2 <br />