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. . . STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION Community Description The City of Yuma is located in eastern Colorado within Yuma County. Yuma is located in the extreme western portion of the county, not far from the Washington-Yuma county line. Wray is the County Seat of Yuma County. The estimated population for Yuma is 3,045 people, and the estimated population for the entire county is 9,629 people (July 1997 estimates from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs). Highway 59 transects the community in the north-south direction, and highway 34 transects the community in the east-west direction. The area studied for the FIRM is the incorporated area of the City of Yuma as of August 5,1986. Watershed Description The Republican River basin originates in eastern Colorado with the westernmost potion of the watershed in Lincoln County. Yuma lies at the headwaters of the Republican River, which flows easterly out of Colorado. The total drainage basin covers nearly 71 square miles, however, much of the basin drains into closed depressions that do not contribute to surface flow. Approximately 16.7 square miles of the basin actually contributes to the surface flow of the Republican River. Climatic data for Yuma is available from the Colorado Climate Center. Monthly summaries of precipitation, snowfall, and temperatures are provided in the Appendix for calendar years 1948 through 1998. F1oodinl!: Problems and Floodinl!: Historv Heavy rains in May 1935, and June 1965 caused high flows which damaged bridges along Arikaree Creek. The only known flood within the city limits of Yuma occurred on June 8, 1974, when 3.50" of rain caused flooding throughout the town, more notably near Lake Yuma and the Legion Pond. Some residences were damaged, however, floodwaters quickly infiltrated into the underlying soil before flood protection measures could be undertaken. Previous Studies Two floodplain documents were previously prepared for the City of Yuma: "Flood Hazard Boundary Map," dated April 1976 by Federal Insurance Administration This Map was rescinded by FEMA in 1984 and rescinded by the CWCB in 1999. "Yuma, Colorado Flood Plain Information, Phase A Report," dated November 1976 by Hydro- Triad Ltd. Community Response to the CWCR Desil!:nation Process A letter from the CWCB was transmitted to City of Yuma officials regarding the Board's proposed action regarding the Yuma FHBM. Local officials conftrmed that there have been no major flooding problems or signiftcant development issues. FEMA rescinded Yuma's FHBM in 1984 at the request of community officials. The CWCB agreed with FEMA' s rescission of the floodplain information. Drainage projects within the City have successfully eliminated most of the nuisance flooding problems that were historically experienced. The City was receptive to the Board's proposed rescission of the FHBM and proposed designation of the new FIR (based on the 1976 Phase A Report). The City provided a verbal consent during a meeting held with the CWCB on May 10,1999. 2