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<br />I~ <br />, <br /> <br />A PLAN FOR STUDY OF FLOOD HYDROLOGY OF <br /> <br />FOOTHILL STREAMS IN COLORADO <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />By Jerald F. McCain and John L. Ebling <br /> <br />ABSTRACT <br /> <br />A comprehensive plan is presented for <br />analysis and information transfer for foothill <br />hydrologic data~collection network in the <br />research will concentrate on three areas: <br /> <br />researching methods of flood-data <br />areas, and for establishing a <br />foothill areas of Colorado. The <br /> <br />1. Developing methods to analyze flood peaks in foothill areas by using <br />gaging-station records to obtain annual arrays of snowmelt and rainfall <br />peaks. <br /> <br />2. Investigating techniques for flood information transfer, using physical <br />and climatic characteristics. <br /> <br />3. Testing and, if required, verifying hydrologic models. <br /> <br />The available gaging-station data consists of records from 81 active and 43 <br />discontinued gaging stations. The National Weather Service operates 53 recording <br />and 70 nonrecording precipitation gages, and has 476 storm observers within the <br />project boundaries. The Soil Conservation Service is installing a network <br />(SNOTEL) of 46 automated snowpack monitors. A data-collection network will be <br />established in areas of data deficiencies, consisting of streamflow stations, <br />crest-stage gages, and precipitation stations. <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />More than three-fourths of Colorado's population is concentrated along or <br />near foothills at the base of high mountains. Many foothill streams flow through <br />scenic canyons before flowing onto much flatter plains or plateaus. Because of <br />the esthetic setting, development is increasing rapidly in these canyon areas. <br />However, foothill streams are subject to frequent and often destructive floods. <br />Foothill streams flood as a result of both excessive snowmelt and rainfall, but <br />historically the most destructive flooding results from "cloudburst-type" rainfall <br />associated with severe thunderstorms during the spring and summer. <br /> <br />The concentration of population, coupled with the highly destructive nature <br />of flash floods, dictates that sound scientific methods be employed in flood <br />studies relating to land-use planning, establishment of flood-insurance rates, and <br />lthe design of transportation facilities. Underestimation of flood potential can <br />lead to tragic loss of life and destruction of property. Overestimation of flood <br />