FLOOD08183

• County: Summit
• Community: Breckenridge
• Stream Name: Blue River
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Title: Floodplain Information Breckenridge
• Date: 9/1/1974
• Prepared For: Summit County
• Prepared By: Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers, Inc.
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FLOODPLAIN

The natural floodplain the Breckenridge area de~eloped by
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the Blue River has largely been obliterated by construction-
within the town. The initial encroachment on the floodplain
of the Blue River in the Breckenridge area was accomplished
during the 1910 's and 1920' s when the raining dredge was active.
It was during this period that the dredge was used extensively
to mine the placer deposits in the gravels adjacent to the
Blue River. These tatlings are still in existence today and
may be seen immediately south of the town. Construction
within the past few years has further encroached and modified
the floodplain. The mine tailings which once formed a very
uneven and rough surface have been levelled off to allow
construction of comme::cial businesses. In this manner, the
channel bed of the Bl~e River had been considerably modified.
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Development along_th~_floQdplain within the city limits
of Breckenridg~~Dtbeen ex~ensi~even though buildings
have been constructed on 'the gr'avel tailings. Present uses
within the floodplain include commercial, residential, and
recreation; there are no light industrial uses within the
city limits. Development of the gravel tailings can be
expected to continue because the city serves as a focal point
for winter recreation.

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