FLOOD06561

• County: Montrose
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Title: Hydrology Addendum Montrose County
• Date: 11/1/2000
• Prepared For: Montrose County
• Prepared By: CWCB
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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the two drainage basins. The Gunnison River 110ws through the extreme northeastern comer
of the county.

· Uncompahgre Valley: The Valley generally consists of irrigated agricultural lands on the
valley 1100r, with high plateaus and sub-alpine mountain ranges on the west and east,
respectively. Development is primarily occurring within the lower portions of the valley.
Many homes are being constructed on small plateaus scattered about the valley 1100r. The
Gunnison River 110ws through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and thus is
not seeing development within the 1100dplains. Vegetation consists of ponderosa pine,
cedars, native grasses and greasewood.

· Dolores and San Miguel Valleys: The western portion of the county is sparsely populated,
primarily centered around Nuda and Naturita. The area is very dry, primarily vegetated with
sparse natural grasses, cedars and greasewood. Development within 1100dplains is primarily
limited to scattered farm houses.

· Flooding of the smaller creeks primarily results from severe thunderstorms. Flooding of the
Dolores River is rare, and normally results from snowmelt. In the lower elevations, severe
thunderstorms primarily occur in the late summer (around August). In the higher elevations,
severe thunderstorms primarily occur during the fall (around October).

· Many canals are below grade with no upstream berms. Therefore, they appear to capture
significant amounts of agricultural return flows and stormwater runoff.

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1

Photo 1, Cedar Creek looking downstream from Highway 50

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3019

montrose_co _fieldrpt.doc
November 13, 2000