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<br />the southern outskirts of Colorado. Springs introduced a more stable
<br />ecollomy. The economy of the area is based on the military, industry,
<br />tourism, and agriculture.
<br />
<br />The economy of the city is primariLy based on tourism, skiing, light
<br />industry, commerce, farming, and ranching. Also, the economy
<br />benefits from the military institutions of the area which include
<br />Fort Carson Military Reservation, E'eterson Field Air Force Base, the
<br />U.S. Air Force Academy, and the NORAD installation. Major tourist
<br />attractions of the area include the Garden of the Gods, Pike National
<br />Forest, Manitou Springs, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Broadmoor
<br />Hotel.
<br />
<br />Interstate Highway 25, U.S. Highway 85-87, and State Highways 24,
<br />115, 94 and 83 are Located in the' flood plain. Rail lines in the
<br />city are Denver and Rio Grande W""stern (D&RGW) Railroad; Chicago,
<br />Rock Island and Pacific (CRUP) Ra~lroad; and the Atchison, Topeka,
<br />and Santa Fe (AT&SF) Railway Company.
<br />
<br />The growth rate of Colorado Springs was among the highest in the
<br />nation between 1970 and 1980. Development is continuing at a
<br />relatively high rate. Most of the, residential development is along
<br />the northeastern and eastern corporate limits. Major housing
<br />developments are planned for the Pine, Kettle, Cottonwood and Sand
<br />Creek basins.
<br />
<br />Colorado Springs is subject to flOOding from Fountain and Monument
<br />Creeks and twelve of their tributaries. Fountain Creek originates
<br />approximately 5 miles northwest of Green Mountain Falls in Teller
<br />County. The headwaters are fed from glacial snowpaCkS and springs of
<br />the alpine canyons of pikes Peak. Glacial deposits remain in many of
<br />the valleys above the 9,500-foot el~vation. The aspen-, spruce-, and
<br />pine-covered narrow canyons ar~ straight, steep-walled, and
<br />well-drained. The bedrock creek. channel, strewn with boulders,
<br />averages 50 feet in width above the foothills.
<br />
<br />The foothills are a narrow transition from the mountains to the high
<br />plains. The transitional area varies from rough parallel ridges to
<br />narrow, gently sloping mesas with pine, pinion, cedar, and oak cover.
<br />The stream emerges on the high plairs in Colorado Springs. South of
<br />ColoradO Springs, the watershed west of the creek is in the
<br />foothills, while the eastern watershed is primarily high plains. The
<br />rolling high plains terrain is rough, broken, and sparsely vegetated.
<br />The sparse vegetation is ty~ical of the semiarid high
<br />plains--predominantly brush, cactus and native grasses. The flood
<br />plain is comprised of narrow-strip irrigated farms, clumps of
<br />cottonwood trees, salt cedar, and other thick undergrowth.
<br />
<br />Camp Creek originates in the Pi~e National Forest northwest of
<br />Colorado Springs, approximately 5 miles northwest of Glen Eyrie where.
<br />it turns south, continues for approximately 3 miles, enters Colorado
<br />Springs and joins Fountain Creek ne'ar 30th Street. The creek flows
<br />in a concrete-lined channel in resid~ntial areas.
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