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Historical references to floods on Fortification Creek extend back to 1879. In that year, a major flood inundated the entire area where Craig is now located. A minor flood occurred in 1896, and the first major flood after the city was established Occurred in April 1897. Agricultural areas that are now part of the city and residential properties east of Fortification Creek were severely damaged. Floodflaws cut new channels through rich agricultural lands in and around the city. Irrigation ditches and headgates were washed out. Seven major flood events in 1904, 1911, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1921, and 1947 and five less-damaging flood events in 1902, 1906, 1922, 1923, and 1926 occurred on Fortification Creek. In 1921, flood conditions on Fortification Creek resulted from snowmelt augmented by rain and were intensified by ice jams near the mouth of the creek. The largest floodflow of record on Fortification Creek, 841 cubic feet per second (cfs) , occurred in March 1947. Studies indicate, however, that the actual flow may have been considerably greater due to overbank flows that were not measured, or to ice conditions that caused inaccurate gage readings. No recurrence interval is available for this flood, Photographs of the 1947 flood are shown in Figures 2 and 3, Also, on the basis of a high-water mark (flood date unknown), the Colorado Department of Highways computed peak flow of l,BOO cts on Fortifica- tion Creek. Flood information on Brotherton Gulch, Pine Ridge Gulch, Cedar Mountain Gulch, and Tributaries 1 and 2 is not available. Flooding from summer cloudburst-type storms has occurred in and around Craig, but little definitive data on this type of flood event are available. 2.4 Flood Protection Measures Following the 1947 flood in Craig, Fortification Creek was improved under emergency repair and restoration authority available to the COE. The work consisted of cutting a new, straight channel in the lower reach of the creek; straightening and improving the creek upstream from the new channel section; and providing low, spoil-type levees. This work, plus substantial natural channel improvement Que to increased flow velocities, has materially decreased ice jam problems. However, the specific effect of this work on the 100- and SOO-year flood events is unknown, lee jams have occurred in recent years at a sewerline crossing upstream from U.S. Highway 40 and at the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad crossing downstream from the highway, but have been removed by city and railroad maintenance crews. Aside from the emergency maintenace work described, which was completed in 1949, there are no formalized flood control projects having an effect in the study area. Approximately 7 miles north of Craig, the Colorado Game and Fish Commission constructed Ralph White Dam on Fortification Creek. The storage area is 600 acre-feet at the permanent pool elevation. 7