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SECTION 1 SECTION 2 INTRODUCTION COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION Since 1965, the Town of Georgetown, Colorado, an Historic Landmark from the silver and gold mining era in the 1&OO's, has experienced four high water and flooding incidents. This persistent and costly problem, mostly caused by spring snow melt, has caused damage, erosion, stress on its channels, creek bed sediment and debris buildup, as well as weakening of residential structure's foundation weakening, underground erosion, bridge and cribbing devastation. Because of Georgetown's geographical location, east of the continental divide and at the base of Guanela Pass, the drainage pattern from the spring snow melt creates floodplains down the middle of the residential part of town. South Clear Creek tributary meanders through this residential area with homes built decades ago on both banks. Due to its constricted stream bed and other issues, there isn't enough capacity to keep the waters contained during high snow pack thawing and spring thunderstorm activities. Georgetown, located in the mountains forty-five miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, is one of the few Rocky Mountain mining towns which retains over two hundred nineteenth century structures. The national significance of Georgetown's history was recognized in 1966 when the Department of Interior, through the National Park Service, designated the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District. The Town was created in 1868 by an act of Colorado's territorial legislature. At its peak (1880's), the Town housed over 5,000 people. During the early part of the 20'h century the population dwindled to a few hundred, and now has grown to approximately 1,000. The Town's economy is based on cultural tourism, with tens of thousands of visitors coming annually to look at the area museums, historic buildings and a variety of shops and restaurants. After handling flood response in the same manner for 33 years, the Office of Emergency manaaement the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Town Council and residents joined eo ' forces to create a solution to the persistent flood damage risk. Grant funds were made available through FEMA's Flood Hazard Mitigation Program in the amount of $11,900. The funds are were put forth to create this Local Pre-Disaster Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. Georgetown is located at the confluence of Clear Creek and South Clear Creek, and adjacent to picturesque Georgetown Lake. All of these water features represent important local and regional resources for recreation and tourism. I-I 2-1