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<br />4. Development Pattern <br /> <br />Fountain Creek and its tributaries have been extensively developed along <br />the floodplain with residential, commercial and industrial buildings built <br />next to, and in many cases, over the channel. This is especially true in <br />the main" business district of Manitou Springs where many businesses are <br />established along or over Fountain Creek. It is also apparent along Ruxton <br />Creek where residential and commercial buildings are built along or over the <br />narrow channel. The flow from Williams Canon has been channelized to flow <br />in a culvert along Canon Avenue with residential buildings occupying the <br />floodplain. The culvert is designed to only carry minimal flow so the <br />channelization is ineffective. The municipal building and fire station are <br />situated along Fountain Creek with building supports extending into the <br />creek. Figure 5 illustrates the 500-year flOOdplain inundation zone. It is <br />similar to the 100 year floodplain. For more detailed boundaries refer to <br />the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map enclosed in <br />a packet at the back of the r'eport. <br /> <br />One of the major problems in passing floodflows is the presence of <br />natural and man-made obstruc1;ions within the floodways. These obstructions <br />lead to the formation of dams which, in turn, cause higher backwater depths, <br />increased overbank flooding, and, when they fail, surges in floodflows and <br />increased debris battering. <br /> <br />Natural obstructions to floodflow within the Manitou Springs area occur <br />when trees, brush and other vegetation clog the channel. Although there <br />have been efforts in previous years to clear the channels within Manitou <br />Springs, they are currently extensively vegetated. <br /> <br />There are a variety of obstructions built within the Manitou Springs <br />area with stone arch bridges, utility pipelines, wooden footbridges and even <br />buildings spanning the creek channels in numerous locations. Much of this <br />material, especially the small wooden foot bridges, can be expected to be <br />washed away to form debris dams farther downstream. Other restrictions to <br />floodflows are the many bullcling foundations and supports which extend into <br />and over the channel. <br /> <br />D. Flood Experience <br /> <br />The history of floods in the Manitou Springs area is primarily based on <br />accounts published in newspaper articles, local histories, and the memories <br />of long-term residents (see Table 4). Although there have been many gaging <br />stations in operation along the smaller tributaries of Fountain Creek, only <br />one station has a substantial period of record for Fountain Creek itself. <br />This station, located just east of the Manitou Springs city limits, has been <br />operating since April, 1958 and measures the flow from a drainage area of <br />102 square miles. Many flood hazard studies have examined aspects of <br />Manitou Springs' vulnerability. These are listed in Table 5. <br /> <br />-10- <br />