C153321 Feasibility Study - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 I 1 1 I I I I I I I 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 CHAPTER I - GENERAL INFORMATION: The Town of Ridgway, Colorado, is located 29 miles south of Montrose and 10 miles north of Ouray, Colorado. It is located wholly within Ouray County with Ouray being the County Seat. The Town is bordered on the east side by the Uncompahgre River and on the west side by a jutting ridge known as Knife Edge. To the north and south, the Town is bounded by pasture land and ranches. It has a population of approximately 300 persons, many of whom are retired or semi-retired. While occupations are varied, the primary ones are mining and ranching. According to a 1972 income survey, the average annual income is $5,970 per household. With a mean elevation of 6,988 feet above sea level, the climate of the Town changes drastically between summer and winter. Owing to the Town's closeness to the Uncompahgre River, the winter temperatures sometime go as low as -450F. As a rule, the temperature during the months of December through February range from 200F in the day, ~and from -100 to -150 at night. In summer, during the day, the temperatures go as high as 900F and as low as 400F in the night. As no weather bureau is located there, actual temperatures have not been recorded (note Exhibit XIc). Snowfall in winter ranges from l' -00" to 3' -6". Snow usually starts in late November or early December and lasts through March. Rain is usually plenti- ful during the spring months (April, May & June), but in summer consists mainly of light afternoon or evening showers. Average annual precipitation is less than thirteen inches (13") (note Exhibit XIc). During temperature inversions, some hail will fall, but this is usually very small (!,;" diameter or less) and short lived.