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Hazards and Flood History in the San Miguel River Valley, Colorado

For additional information please visit http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/sw/sanmiguel/.

Flowing through San Miguel, Montrose, and Mesa counties, in western Colorado, the San Miguel River is one of the most pristine in the southern Rocky Mountains. However, the river basin has experienced localized, intensive development from gold mining and urbanization (Telluride) in its headwaters and uranium mining and milling in the downstream reaches, an area that includes a Superfund site. USGS scientists are (1) evaluating how natural processes and human development have altered the river channel, (2) recognizing hazards of landslides and debris flows, and (3) reconstructing the basin's flood history. Such work provides scientific information and interpretations critical to developing strategies for rehabilitation of the river basin that is planned by federal and local governments, along with non-governmental conservation and citizens' groups.