FLOOD05505

• County: Gunnison
• Community: Gunnison County
• Stream Name: Gunnison River, Tomachi Creek
• Basin: Gunnison
• Title: Floodplain Information Report
• Date: 12/1/1976
• Prepared For: Gunnison County
• Prepared By: ECI
• Contract/PO #: &&
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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HISTORY OF FLOODING

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Convective type thunderstorms occur extensively over the

Gunnison River basin during the summer months. The aerial extent of

such storms is generally limited and do not cause peak flows in the

basin. Snowmelt generally occurs during the April-June season, a period

during which precipitation is observed to be low at most weather sta-

tions. However, occassional general storms can occur during this period

of time. Precipitation during these general storm periods will be of an

orographic type, with higher elevations receiving the heaviest precipi-

tation. Storms of a tropical origin, such as the October 1911 storm,

occasionally cause very heavy precipitation. However, these types of

storms are restricted to the fall period and do not cause peak flows in

the basin.

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Streamflow records are available at locations near and within

the study reach. Recorded flows show maximum discharges of 11,400 cfs

and 1,900 cfs for Gunnison River qear Gunnison and Tomichi Creek at

Gunnison streamflow recording stations. These flows occurred on June 13,

1918 and June 8, 1957 respectively. Inspection of the precipitation

records for June 1918 and June 1957 indicate that no appreciable pre-

cipitation was recorded above the study reach during the period im-

mediately preceding the peak runoff date. Since September 1937, the

flows of Taylor River have been regulated by the Taylor Park Reservoir,

thus affecting the natural flows in the study reach. An inspection of

the records indicate that maximum flows occur in the Gunnison River

basin during the spring snowmelt period and are occasionally augmented

by rainstorms. Table 3 shows historical peak discharges and dates

associated with them.

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