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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I: I. '. . . . . . '. . . . I. . . . Floodin!! Problems and Floodin!! History Flooding in Eagle County usually occurs during the months of May through August, with the most frequent flooding occurring in June. Floods may be due to rainfall or snowmelt, alone or in combination. Analysis of the records indicates that snowmelt is the primary cause of most annual flood peaks. However, for smaller drainage basins, rainfall-induced flood peaks are likely to be higher than the snowmelt flood peaks. Damage has occurred in many forms, including bridges, railroad tracks, and roads washed out; mudslides and other debris covering roads; farmlands damaged; water systems fouled; buildings sustaining water damage; and power outages. Records show that the Eagle River flooded significantly in 1912, 1947, 1957, 1959, and more recently on June 26, 1969, with a 2-year recurrence interval. All of these floods occurred during June. The maximum flood of record occurred in 1912; however, no recurrence interval is available for this flood. Two floods, August 1956 and September 1967, were recorded for Sweetwater Creek. (Note: Information from 1983 Flood Insurance Study) Previous Studies Flood Insurance Studies have been conducted for the Towns of Eagle, Gypsum, Minturn, Red Cliff, Vail, and Basalt, Colorado. In 1978, a Flood Plain Information Report for Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers at the Town of Basalt was completed for the Colorado Water Conservation Board. A catalog of previous studies is shown in the Appendix. Community Response to the CWCB Desi!!nation and Approval Process A letter from the CWCB was transmitted to Eagle County regarding the Board's proposed action for designation and approval of the Gunnison County FIRMs. CWCB received a letter back from the County requesting designation. In addition, the designation process was discussed with the County during a phone call meeting with the County. They indicated that they were receptive to the Board's proposed designation action. The County also indicated that several of the streams with development pressure are currently being studied and will have more accurate flood plain mapping generated. They would also like the more recent study on the Roaring Fork near Basalt designated by CWCB. The County did not request a meeting with the CWCB regarding this matter nor was a field review of the study conducted. Copies of the request letter are included in the Appendix of this report. 6