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<br />The hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for this study were performed
<br />by Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc" for the Federal Insurance Administra-
<br />tion, under Contract No. H-4014, This work, which was completed in
<br />December 1977, covered all significant flooding sources affecting
<br />the unincorporated areas of La Plata County, Colorado.
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<br />2.0 AREA STUDIED
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<br />2.1 Scope of Study
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<br />This Flood Insurance Study covers the unincorporated areaso~ .La
<br />Plata County, Colorado. The City of Durango, the Towns of Bayfield
<br />and Ignacio, and the Southern Ute Indian Reservation were not
<br />included in this study. The area of study is, shown on the Vicinity
<br />Map (Figure 1).
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<br />Detailed analyses were performed on portions of the Animas River,
<br />Hermosa Creek in the vicinity of Hermosa, Junction Creek, Dry Gulch
<br />Creek, Lightner Creek, Los Pinos Riyer at Bayfield, Los Pinos River
<br />at Ignacio, Vallecito Creek, and Grimes Creek. Because Los Pinos
<br />River at Ignacio is located within the Southern Ute Indian Reserva-
<br />tion, the information concerning the stream is not included in this
<br />study. -
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<br />Portions of the Animas River, Hermosa Creek, Florida River, Los :J?inos
<br />River, Spring Creek, Wilson Gulch, Wildcat Canyon, and Coal Gulch were
<br />studied by approximate methods because no significant development
<br />exists or is expected for the next'S years,
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<br />Those areas studied by detailed methods were chosen with consider-
<br />ation given to all proposed construction and forecasted development
<br />through 1982.
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<br />2.2 Community Description
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<br />The study areas, which include the adjoining unincorporated areas of
<br />Durango (Animas River and Hermosa, Junction, Dry Gulch, and Lightner
<br />Creeks), two rea'ohes of Los Pino,s R:Lver near Bayfield and Ignacio,
<br />and Vallecito and Grimes Creeks, are located in the southwestern
<br />part of Colorado1s mountain region, in La Plata c~unty.
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<br />Agriculture and the lumber industry have continued to play important
<br />roles in the economy of the study areas near Durango since the first
<br />settlement, New factors affecting the economic base of the study
<br />area include tourism, recreation industry, and mountain homesites.
<br />Along Los pinos River, Bayfield is a trading and social center for
<br />the farmers and ranchers in the vicinity. The economy of this area
<br />is still based on agriculture, Tourism has increased its importance
<br />in its economy slightly in recent years. The area upstream from
<br />Vallecito Reservoir has become popular for mountain homesites as
<br />second homes since the construction of Vallecito Reservoir. Popula-
<br />tions in the study areas are estimated to be 1700 around Durango,
<br />S60 at Bayfield, and 230 around Vallecito Reservoir,
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