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<br />!.c <br /> <br />d. Flood damage estimates. Flood damage estimates were compiled <br />from field survey data obtained by the Corps of Engineers, the Bureau <br />of Reclamation and the Colorado Soil Conservation Service. These data <br />were supplemented by estimates provided by State, municipal and county <br />govern!llents, and by inquiries to railroads, highway departments and <br />industry. Correlation sampling was ,attempted, for damages to commercial <br />and industrial properties bw using data reports of Dun and Bradstreet, <br />Inc. This sampling was discontinued in favor of direct methods of <br />data collection. Some adjustments in initial estimates were made on <br />the basis of summary reports of damages and associated expenditures <br />released to news media by official agencies. Information on Red Cross <br />relief expenditures, Small Business Administration disaster relief <br />loans, and in some instances reconstruction costs for roads and bridges <br />were obtained from information released to news media. In some <br />instances, data gaps were filled by reliance on stage-damage informa- <br />tion compiled in pre-flood investigations. 'Associated economic losses <br />were computed on the basis of similar losses compiled from the analysis <br />of post-flood data collected on previous floods in the Missouri River <br />basin. <br /> <br />II. DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN <br /> <br />6. PURPOSES OF BASIN DESCRIPTIONS ' <br /> <br />The descriptions of the physical and economic characteristics <br />of the South Platte River basin provided in this section are intended <br />to convey an understanding of the location and size of the South Platte <br />River basin, the relationship of streams in flood to.the economic <br />developments of the basin, and the effects of floods on the urban <br />economy, the rural economy, and the transportation facilities of the <br />region. Climatic characteristics are discussed to identifY the semi- <br />arid nature of the region and the consequent reliance on elaborate <br />water supply systems and irrigation'systems to sustain the urban and <br />rural economies. Population concentrations are discussed to identifY <br />the impact of floods on the more populous urban and stream valley <br />areas. The scenic attractions of the mountainous portions of the basin <br />and the Rocky Mountain range are discussed to identifY the impact on <br />the basin economy from losses in tourist trade,because of major floods. <br /> <br />7. LOCATION <br /> <br />The South Platte River basin is located within the Missouri River <br />region and within the States of Colorado, 'Nebraska and Wyoming. It is <br />bounded on the west by the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountain <br />range, on the north by the North Platte River basin, on the east by <br />the Platte River basin, on the southeast by the Republican River basin, <br />and on the south by the Arkansas River basin. A general map of the <br />basin is provided on plate 1. <br /> <br />4 <br />