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<br />ENGINEERING GEOLOGIC FACTORS <br />MARBLE AREA <br />GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />This reconnaissance engineering geology study of the Marble Area <br /> <br />in Gunnison County, Colorado by the Colorado Geological Survey delin- <br /> <br />eates several geologic factors which could adversely affect future <br /> <br />development in the area. The area presents timely problems concerning <br /> <br />the interaction between future development demands, geological and <br /> <br />engineering factors, economic feasibility and land use decisions in <br /> <br />the public and private sector. Development pressures derive from <br /> <br />several sources. Colorad.o has a strong and growing demand for recre- <br /> <br />ational areas. This area affords unparalleled natural beauty. Precip- <br /> <br />itation patterns, as well as the variety and steepness of slopes, ap- <br /> <br />pear generally favorable for skiing. A large block of privately-owned <br /> <br />land is available for development of base facilities adjacent to For- <br /> <br />est Service lands which might be available for ski area expansion and <br /> <br />recreational use. On the other hand, several geologic factors provide <br /> <br />development and engineering problems. Both Slate and Carbonate Creeks <br /> <br />historically produce frequent and damaging floods and mudflows. Pre- <br /> <br />vious published maps of the U.S. Geological Survey indicate large areas <br /> <br />of landslides. The soft, weak bedrock of the area combine with steep <br /> <br />terrain and high moisture content to cause general slope stability prob- <br /> <br />lems. Delineating and evaluating these significant favorable and unfa- <br /> <br />vorable conditions constitutes the problem. The cost of planning and <br /> <br />engineering solutions to geologic problems, and the carrying capacity <br /> <br />of the land, must be carefully balanced against economic considerations <br />