FLOOD09803

• County: Summit
• Community: Cripple Creek
• Stream Name: Colorado River
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Title: Floodplain Management Study Cripple Creek
• Date: 9/1/1992
• Prepared For: CWCB
• Prepared By: CWCB
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

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J} a S_il~!...5.J.J~..!~3.tf..t e ~~ L~,.i_.Ls::..i

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The watersheds that produce runoff to charlneis in and around Cripple
Ct"eek a.t~e r"elatively sma.li in si~'~e and at hi::]!l elevation. 'T"hese two
characteristics are very significant to the area hydrology.
Elevations range from 10500 ft at the upper reaches of the watersheds
to 9300 ft at ttle southern boundary of the city of Crippie Creek.
Slo~les range from 4 percent to 20 percent and greater.

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The s:,oi Is in the basin at-e alluvium along stt-eam channels (hydt"I)I(ISic
8t-OUP B), and a mj).~ l)f skeleta.l soi Is (hydt-I)logic C and D) on the
slopes accc'mpanied by areas of rock outcrop (hydrologic gt"OUP D). The
pat"ent rnatet-ia! is :jene,."a.lly Tt"a.chyte, a J igh+": colot"ed igneous t"l)ck
c i) n s j s tin ::I €' sse n t j 3. I I Y (I f a I k a i i c f e Ids par ,.;.) i t h I (I W !;:. h t" i rf k s 1,..1 e I J .
Thet"e j 5 no dE'ta i I ed so j I Sl.lt"V(~'Y t"epot"t ava. j I ab I e tOt" the bas in.

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The vegetation in the uppet" watet"sheds is pr"edominately native t"ange
with some forest and rock outcrop areas. A significant part of the
lowet" ba~,in is occupied by t~e$.identiaj anlj comrnet"cial pt.opet~ties.
Past mining activitjps ha.v€' left nurnet"ous sca.t"S in the water"sheds
where I ittle vegEtation exists.

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The flood plains, within the study limits, genet"ally contain typical
residential and cornrnet"cia! pt"operty irnpt"overnents such as buildings,
yards, fef~ces, streets, vehicles, etc. Vegetation such as lawns,
sht"ubs, trees, flowers, and forbes are a part of the landscape. There
are some wi I lows and cottonwoods along th(,se c~farrnels that have a
sustained water supply~ The channel does a considerable amount of
meandet-in:3 which enhancE'S the visual aesthetics arrd wi Idl ife habitat
values in the area.

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The mean annual precipitation for the basin ranges from 16 to 20
inches. The mean annual precipitation in Cripple Creek itself is 16.3
inches with July and August accounting for the greatest monthly
values. Snowfal I does occur throughout the winter period however
there is no large accumulation. An analysis into the contribution of
spring snowmelt to flooding suggests it is not a significant factor.
Summer" t"a i DS at"e the most like Iy t(l.. pt"oduce f! ood i ng in the study
at"aa.

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