FLOOD08463 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Appendix A: Append j,x B: Append ix C: Append ix 0: Information Project Planning , Hydrology Economic Data Coordination with Other Agencies ca lied for by Senate Resolution 146, 85th Congress . was selected on the basis of detai led technical data, field investi- gations, research, and related office studies of current and projected conditions, as summarized herein and further reported upon in the following: ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN IN COLORADO II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.- The Arkansas River originates in central Colorado on the eastern face of the Rocky Mountains near Leadvi I Ie and fol lows a southeast and eastward course for a distance of about 360 river mi les before it crosses the State boundary' into Kansas. The city of l.as Animas (Spanish for "The Souls") is located on the south bank of the river, about 75 miles upstream from the Colo.- Kans. State line. The watershed of the Arkansas River and its tribu- taries in Colorado comprises an area of about 25,400 square mi les, nearly one-fourth of the entire area of the State, as shown on plate I. The watershed increases in width from about 25 mi les in the headwaters area to a l1Iax imum of about 140 mi les in the 'v ic in ity of Pueblo, and narrows to about 120 mi les in the vicinity of Las Animas. Drainage 'area data are given in table I. 12. Central Colorado, with 54 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet, is one of the highest reg ions in North Amer ica. At I east 25 of these peaks are in and around the headwaters area of the Arkansas River. Included is Mt. Elbert, elevation 14,431 feet, the highest point in Colorado. The river drops rapidly from its source and emerges from the mountainous area through the Royal Gorge, a national iy famous scenic attraction with steep wal Is over 1,000 feet high which are connected by the world's highest suspension bridge. Below the canyon, the valley gradually grows wider through the foothi lis which merge' into the Great Plains in the vicinity of Pueblo. Through the ferti Ie Great Plains section which spreads across southeastern Colorado into the State of Kansas, the stream grad i ent decreases and the va Iley progressively widens, permitting large-scale agricultural irrigation development. Las Animas is situated in the irrigated valley about midway between Pueblo and the State line. John Martin Dam, constructed by the Corps of Engineers for flood control and conservation of the Irrigation water supply, spans the Arkansas River about 18 mi les down- stream from Las Animas. . 5