FLOOD09534 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

In general, the history and development of Garfield County can be separated into three time periods that reflect a major, but nonexclusive, economic era. From approximately 1880 to 1900, mining activity flourished and created an incentive for development of railroads and the service activities supported by the wealth from mining. By 1886, however, agricultural production resulted in the formation of communities at Silt, Rulison, Grand Valley, and Rifle. In the 1890s, Glenwood Springs emerged as a resort center, with the development of POPular mineral hot spring spas. At present, the economy of Garfield County is based on agriculture, mining, and tourism-recreation. Increased activity in the extrac- tion of natural gas, oil from oil-shale deposits, coal, and carbonate minerals is expected. Garfield County is located in a mountainous region of plateaus and canyon lands that are part of the Rocky Mountains. A number of waterways cut deeply through the high mesas which run into mountain peaks that are at approximately 13,000 feet. Elevations in the western end of the county range from 5,000 to 8,000 feet, the east end has valleys at 6,000 feet and is bordered by high mesas at elevations from 7,000 to 11,000 feet. The headwater terrain is precipitous and inaccessible. The highest and most mountainous areas are in the northeast section. Towering cliffs, in some locations, compose the transition from river level to high forested mesas and mountains. All streams in Garfield County are tributaries of the Colorado River, which traverses the southeastern and south-central portions of the county on a west southwesterly course. The Roaring Fork River, the principal tributary to the Colorado River within the county, flows northwesterly and drains the southeastern corner of the county. East and West Salt Creeks drain the far western portions of the county; Roan, Parachute, Rifle, and Main Elk Creeks, and other small creeks flowing south drain the west-central, central, and northeastern portions. Garfield, David Mann, and Beaver Creeks, all flowing north, drain most of the southeastern portion of the county. Drainage from the most northeastern section is northwesterly into the systems of the White River. The White River is a tributary to the Colorado River via the Green River. The stream system shows markedly dendritic patterns and the stream- ways are steep and well-defined. Average stream gradients on the watercourses studied by detailed methods range from 25 to 40 feet per mile on the Roaring Fork River and are up to 100 feet per mile on Cattle Creek. The climate of the county is characterized by cool summers and moderately severe winters, especially in the mountainous northeast corner. Drastic climate variations occur within short distances due to dramatically varying topography. Local weather conditions 5