FLOOD06614

• County: Ouray
• Community: Ouray
• Stream Name: Uncompahgre River
• Basin: Gunnison
• Title: Debris and Flood Control Plan for Portland and Cascade Creeks
• Date: 10/25/1982
• Prepared For: Ouray County
• Prepared By: Simons Li & Associates Inc.
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

1.4

As evidenced by recent damages, the problems associated with drainage of

Portland and Cascade Creek through the City of Ouray are a financial burden as

well as a major hazard for the citizens, The extent of the problem is illus-

trated by the fact that approximately three-fourths of the town east of the

Uncompahgre River wa~ classified as "Area of High Hazard Due to Flooding"

because of Portland and Cascade Creeks in the 1978 Flood Information Report

for the Uncompahgre River.

Following the July 14-15, 1981 event, the City Council requested tech-

nical assistance from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) under

authority of Sections 24-65.1-302 and 24-65,1-403(3) Colorado Revised Statutes

(CRS) 1973. Direct financial assistance from the CWCB has not been available

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since 1980. On August 12, 1981 Larry F. Lang and William P. Stanton of the

CWCB staff visited Ouray to inspect the flume and meet with City officials.

The purpose of the meeting was to outline a comprehensive approach toward

minimizing losses that frequently occur. It was felt that the first step

should be to have an expert in the field of debris, hydrology and sediment

transport conduct a review of the entire flume system, starting at the basin

headwaters and ending at the Uncompahgre River.

1.2 Purpose of Study
This study was formulated and funded to aid the the City of Ouray in
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developing a plan of action to lessen the problems associated with flood

hazards created by Portland and Cascade Creeks. Its three major objectives

are:

1. To make effective use of limited public funds and enhance the value of
land and other property in the community.

2. To formulate and evaluate alternative debris and flood control concepts
to determine the most feasible and practicable plan,

3. To prepare conceptual designs and preliminary cost estimates for the
recommended concepts.

This report is intended to be a master planning tool for the City so

necessary repairs will be consistent with overall system improvements and to

support applications for financial assistance to State and Federal agencies,

In this first phase effort, alternative debris and flood control concepts to

reduce future damages are formulated and evaluated. Subsequent phases should

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