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SECTION III BASIN DESCRIPTION A, Physical Data I I I I I , , , , , i I I I , Ground slopes, soil and vegetative cover, geological conditions, cl imate, land use and numerous other factors affect the ultimate solution to drainage problems. This study has attempted to analyze all of these factors and to develop a hydrologically adequate and economically sound master plan for drainage improvements. The watersheds that produce runoff to drainageways In and around Cripple Creek are relatively small In size and at high elevation, two factorswhichgreatl yinfluencethe magnitude of storm water runoff. Two major drainageways traverse the corporate limits of Cripple Creek; they are Pony Gulch and Cripple Creek. Several tributaries to Cripple Creek also traverse the corporate limits or portions thereof, including the Second Street tributary. Thurlow Avenue tributary, Main Street tributary and Poverty Gulch. The limits of the Pony Gldch watershed and the Cripple Creek watershed, as they affect drainageways within the city's corporate limits, can be seen on Figure 1, "Vicinity Map; in Appendix A Figure 1 also indicates the general topography of the area and relates the city's corporate limits to watershed boundaries. The Pony Gulch watershcd is comprised of approximately 602 acres while the Cripple Creek watershed is comprised of approximately 1,498 acres. At the present time, the city's corporate limits encompaSS approximately 650 acres. Of that area, approximately 477acresare:wned for residential use with the rem ainingareaszoncd for various levels ofbusine.,,"~ or commercial use. The Pony Gulch watershed generally slopes from north to south rising from an eh:vatioll of approximately 9,460 feet MSL (above mean sea level) t oanelevation of approximately 10,140 feet MSL. The northerly and westerly portions of the basin Ill-I are characterized by steep, undeveloped hillsides with numerousr ockoutcroppings. The ccntral portion of the basin is characterized by low density residential development with considerable potential for additional development. The southerly portion of the basin is characterized by relatively flat, undeveloped hillsides with considerahle potential for future development. The watershed b drained by a dearly defined but poorly developed natural channel called Pony Gulch. The Cripple Creek watershed generally slopes from nOrlll to south rising from an elevation of approximately 9,350 feet MSL to an elevation of approximately 10,520 feet MSL The northerly and easterly portions of the basin are characterized by steep, undeveloped hillsides with numerous rock outcroppings. The central and southerly portions of the hasin are characterized by residential and commercial development with varying levels of potential for future development and expansion. In most arcas, Cripple Creek and its tributaries are clearly defined but have been very poorly developed historically which has resulted in considerable flooding problems. Figure 1, "Vicinity Map," and Exhibit 1, "Drainage Map," show the basic configuration of the naturaldrJinagc channels and major drainage basins in the study area. B, Soils and Vej,!etativeCover Soil types and vegetative cover found in a watersllt~d arc important factors to he considered in estimating the amount of precipitation which will become direct rUlloff. .soil rypes within a drainage llrea have a marked dfecton the '1uamityofdirect runoff. The more impervious the soil, the greater the quantity of runoff. Also, the erodability of a soil must be consiuered when designing drainage facilities as well as other improvements. As of this time, a detailed soils sllrvey of Teller County has not been completed but is heing llO(1ertaken by the United Stat~s Department of AgriCllltur~ Soil Conservation Service. The SCS soil scientist in Canon City wa.\ 1II.2