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dices present Hydrology, Hydraulic Design, Economics of Selected Plan, Special Flood Hazard Information, Geology, Soils & Construction Mater- ials, and Pertinent Correspondence. PRIOR STUnIES AND REPORTS The flood problems at Holly, Colorado, were considered during the general studies conducted for the Report on Review Survey for Flood Control and Allied Purposes, Arkansas River and Tributaries, Great Bend, Kansas, to John Martin Dam, Colorado. However, during the early-stage public meetings held in connection with these studies, local interests at Holly requested expeditious consideration be given to their problems and that any potential project be studied under the purview of Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act. RESOURCES AND ECONOMY OF THE STUDY AREA ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND NATURAL RESOURCES Holly, Colorado lies in the Arkansas River valley on the north bank of the Arkansas River about 5 miles west of the Colorado-Kansas state line. The town is situated at the confluence of Wild Horse Creek, a north bank tributary, Two Butte Creek, a south bank tribu- tary and the Arkansas River. These water sheds, comprising an area of the Great Plains physiographic province and are characterized by treeless flat alluvial plains. The climate in the vicinity of \lolly is classified as semiarid continental characterized by mild summers and cold winters. Clima- tological data are available at Lamar, Colorado, about 32 miles west of Holly and are considered indicative of the climate at Holly. The average annual maximum and minimum temperatures at Lamar are 69.4 and 37.6 degrees with extremes ranging from III to -30 degrees Fah- renheit. Average annual rainfall and snowfall at Lamar are 14.91 and 15.7 inches, respectively. The aversge growing season at Holly is 167 days. In the winter and spring there are numerous windstorms, often with velocities reaching 60 to 70 miles per hour. ., Land use in the \lolly vicinity is devoted almost exclusively to agriculture, either for cattle grazing or farming. Due to the un- certainty of rainfall in the area, irrigated cropping is practiced on most soils. The irrigation water supply is derived from the surface waters of the Arkansas River and from ground water produced from the underlying sandstoneS. Since agricultural developments are extensive, timbered growth is confined to the fringe areas along the numerous watercourses in the area. These woodlands consist of cottonwood, willow, tamarisk and various types of bush. Rangelands and unimproved pasture support native grasses, forbs and shrubs. 3