A
comprehensive file search and literature review of prehistoric cultural resources
that includes the entire Planning Area is not known to have been conducted,
but should be, in order to characterize the collective resource and prioritize
future management efforts. To date, no archaeological studies have taken place
on the three Boulder County Open Space parcels in the Planning Area, but this
work is expected to take place in the near future.
Within the southeastern portion of the Planning Area, the US Army Corps of Engineers conducted a cultural resources file review for the potential Gross Reservoir enlargement that included a one mile buffer zone around the reservoir and a potential borrow area to the west (ACOE 1986). This file review identified only three prehistoric sites and two isolated finds in the project area. Additional work has been completed near Gross Reservoir, mostly east of the Planning Area, and the results have documented few prehistoric resources (Spath 1997). Although existing information has not yielded many prehistoric resources, a more comprehensive file search and field effort will likely result in the identification of significant resources.
According to Map 3, Archaeologically Sensitive Areas, in the Cultural Resources Element of the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, the meadow complex that includes Stilson's Meadow and much of the Twin Sisters Ranch subdivision is considered a sensitive area. Travel routes are implied along South Boulder Creek and Forsythe Canyon Creek above Gross Reservoir. The meadows on Scates Ranch and Reynolds Ranch might also be reasonably considered as sensitive areas.
Adjacent to the Planning Area is the Walker Ranch Historic District which has been listed on the NRHP. The boundary of the district is identical to the boundary of the Walker Ranch property. The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad in Boulder County has been determined to be eligible for the NRHP.
6.3.2.1
Boulder CountyThe Boulder County Historic Sites Survey identified eight private properties of interest in the Planning Area. Of these eight sites that were inventoried, all consisted of historic buildings, four were recommended eligible for local landmark status, and two were considered eligible for the NRHP. The two sites that are recommended as NRHP eligible include a cabin on the Reynolds Ranch and the Scates Homestead. The cabin at the Reynolds Ranch is in good condition and was built in 1862 according to the Boulder County Assessor's records. As such, it is one of Boulder County's oldest standing structures. The Scates Homestead is historically significant for its association with cattle ranching and the early settlement of southwestern Boulder County. Buildings on the ranch are architecturally significant for their pioneer log and wood frame construction, and because they are little changed from their historic appearance. Several buildings are also important because they date from well before the turn of the century. Subsequent evaluation has resulted in a determination of eligibility to the NRHP for the cabin at the Reynolds Ranch. The Scates Homestead is currently in process of a determination ruling. The County has not taken action on the two sites recommended as eligible for local landmark status, which requires property owner approval.
As required for Denver Water's renewal of the FERC hydroelectric license for Gross Reservoir, a Class III cultural resource inventory was conducted on approximately 1,040 acres within the FERC license boundary, including the proposed powerline corridors (Spath 1997). The inventory located an undocumented historic flume, a small rockshelter and enclosure with no associated artifacts, and six prospect pits. The newly recorded flume retains moderate integrity and is recommended to be potentially eligible for the NRHP. The remaining cultural resources have no potential to yield information and are recommended to be not eligible. The eligible flume is not within the area of direct impact of the proposed undertaking, but will be impacted by recreational development and continued use of the reservoir area. Stabilization and protection of this structure was recommended.
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