Laserfiche WebLink
<br />INTRODUCTIOl~ <br /> <br />PURPOSE <br /> <br />To evaluate existing hydrologic information for the Cache La <br />poudre River in Larimer county in light of additional <br />records now available. <br /> <br />SCOPE <br /> <br />In evaluating the hydrology of the basin, every effort was <br />made to review previous work in order to provide consistency <br />and cohesion to any further analysis. Two U.S. Army Corps of <br />Engineers (Corps) studies performed in 1973 and 1981 provide <br />the most complete hydrologic information for 'the area, and <br />form the basis of this report. <br /> <br />The first Corps study, completed in 1973 (ref II, consisted <br />of a comprehensive hydrologic evaluation of the basin <br />drained by the Cache La Poudre River from the continental <br />divide to its confluence with the South Platte River near <br />Greeley, Colorado. This study utilized accepted methodology <br />of the time, much of which is still in widespread use today. <br /> <br />The 1981 Corps report (ref 2) sought to update the previous <br />study, This was accomplished by verifying the discharge <br />probability results of the 1973 report using additional data <br />and refinements to previous analytical techniques. <br /> <br />These Corps studies are discussed in some detail later in <br />this report as they pertain to the high plains region to the <br />south and to the east of Ft. Collins. This report reanalyzes <br />the previous Corps results with the addition of discharge <br />data gathered in the last 10 years. The hydrology presented <br />in this report will be utilized in our flood analysis of the <br />Cache La Poudre River in Larimer County, fr'om Harmony Road <br />to downstream of Prospect Avenue near Ft. Collins. <br /> <br />BASIN DESCRIPTION <br /> <br />The Cache La Poudre River flows easi: toward Ft. Collins from <br />its source high in the RockY Moun1:ains. Before leaving the <br />mountains at the bluffline, it is joined by the North Fork <br />of the Cache La poudre. The area of the basin drained above <br />the bluff line is approximately 1, 0~)5 square miles. From the <br />bluffline, the Cache La poudre River flows in a generally <br />southeasterly direction through Ft.. Collins and Greeley to <br />its confluence with the South Platte River, draining a total <br />basin area of approximately 1,877 square miles. <br />