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<br />2.1 <br /> <br />II. WATERSHED DESCRIPTION <br />2.1 Location <br />The town of Telluride is located in Sa.n Miguel County in southwestern <br />Colorado, west of the Continental Divide, in the San Juan Mountains. Histor- <br />ically, the economy of the area was based on mining and agriculture. In recent <br />years the economy has become dependent on recy'eation and tourism. According to <br />the Public Works Director of Telluride, the current full-time population of the <br />town is approximately 1,300. <br />Two major watercourses flow through the town, the San Miguel River and <br />Cornet Creek. Cornet Creek fl ows from a box canyon north of the town, <br />southwesterly through the town to the San Miguel River. The town of Telluride <br />rests on the alluvial fan at the mouth of the canyon. Figure 2.1 is a photograph <br />of the town looking north towards the Cornet Creek watershed. <br />The watershed of Cornet Creek covers about 2.4 square miles and consists <br />of high mountainous terrain. Slopes are typically 40 to 50 degrees and approach <br />vertical in portions of the upper basin. Eleva.tions range from about 8,700 feet <br />in town to 13,300 feet at Mendota Peak. Approximately 30 percent of the Cornet <br />Creek basin is above timberline. Vegetation in the watershed consists of <br />approximately 80 percent dense trees and 20 percent low vegetation and grasses. <br />Figure 2.2 delineates the boundari es of the Cornet Crellk watershed. <br />The Cornet Creek channel is narrow and steep north of town. Channel slopes <br />in the watershed are typically 20 percent or greater. On the alluvial fan, the <br />Cornet Creek channel flattens from a 10 perc~nt slope at the canyon mouth to <br />approximately a 3 percent slope near the San Miguel River. Development along <br />the creek is limited to the alluvial fan and consists of both residential and <br />commercial buildings. In many locations, buildings abut the Cornet Creek <br />channel. Figure 2.3 is a photograph of a typical development along the creek <br />within the town. <br /> <br />2.2 Field Reconnaissance <br />2_2_1 General <br />Several field trips to the Cornet Creek watershed were made during the <br />course of this study to coordinate with town officials, observe the conditions <br />of the drainage basin and channel system, collect pertinent data, and understand <br />the historic flooding problems of the town. An initial field reconnaissance <br />and preproposal meeting involving personnel from SLA, FEMA, the Colorado Water <br />