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<br />Office (CCWCD, 1987). A detailed hydrologic analysis of the Box Elder Creek
<br />watershed upstream of Bootleg Reservoir was prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of
<br />Engineers (CaE) in 1989 (CaE, 1989). This analysis was part of a study examining the
<br />feasibility of rehabilitating the reservoir. To date, Bootleg Reservoir has not been
<br />rehabilitated.
<br />
<br />2.3.3 Diversions
<br />
<br />There are no significant surface water diversions of Box Elder Creek flows in the study
<br />area, although several diversions exist upstream and downstream of the study area.
<br />Water usage within the study area consist primarily of groundwater withdrawals.
<br />
<br />2.3.4 Flood History
<br />
<br />According to information provided in the Arapahoe County Flood Insurance Study (PIS),
<br />three major floods have occurred on Box Elder Creek and in nearby watersheds in recent
<br />times (pEMA, 1993). The following is an excerpt from the FIS report.
<br />
<br />"In interviews held in Watkins, Strasburg, Byers, and Deer Trail regarding
<br />flood histories on Box Elder Creek, Comanche Creek, West Bijou Creek,
<br />and East Bijou Creek, residents recalled severe damage and lost lives in
<br />floods occurring in 1905, 1935, and 1965."
<br />
<br />No estimates of historic peak discharges were given.
<br />
<br />Flood history of Running Creek (Upper Box Elder Creek) in the Elizabeth, Colorado area
<br />was documented in a Floodplain Information Report prepared for the Colorado Water
<br />Conservation Board (WRC, 1979). The information in this report attests to significant
<br />flood events along the creek in 1935, when the bridge across the creek at Elizabeth
<br />failed, and in 1965. It was reported that flooding along Running Creek was less severe
<br />than in adjoining watersheds in both the 1935 and 1965 events. In 1935, flooding was
<br />most severe to the east in Kiowa and Bijou Creeks. In 1965, flooding was far more
<br />severe to the east in Kiowa Creek and Bijou Creek, and to the west in Cherry Creek and
<br />Plum Creek.
<br />
<br />Flood history of Box Elder Creek was also documented at Bootleg Reservoir in a report
<br />produced by the staff of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD,
<br />1987). The report mentions that major runoff events have occurred on Box Elder Creek
<br />at Bootleg Reservoir in 1924,1935,1942,1948,1957,1964,1965,1967,1973, and
<br />1979. Among these events, the capacity of Bootleg Reservoir (approximately 3,600 acre-
<br />feet) was completely filled in in 1924, 1935, and 1973. The 1973 flood was one of the
<br />largest recorded floods on Box Elder Creek; it damaged portions of Weld County
<br />Roads 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 22, 49, and 52 and destroyed private roads, driveways, and
<br />livestock sheds. John Doerfer, of UDFCD, calculated that the peak discharge of the
<br />
<br />DENl0015184.WPS
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<br />2-3
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