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SECTION 2 Study Area Characteristics <br />2.1.3 River Road Santa Clara Basin <br />As shown on Figure 2 -2, the River Road Santa Clara basin forms the northwest corner of the <br />Eugene - Springfield metropolitan area, and is generally bounded by the Willamette River on the <br />east, the Bethel - Danebo drainage basin on the south and the Metro Plan boundary on the west <br />and north. The basin is 10,458 acres in size with about 58 percent (6,071 acres) located within <br />the Eugene urban growth boundary (UGB). <br />2.2 Climate <br />The climate in the study area is primarily affected by humid air masses from the west and south, <br />and infrequent influxes of cold, continental air masses from the east. As a result, the year -round <br />climate in Eugene is moderate with relatively cool, wet winters, and warm, dry summers. <br />Average minimum winter temperatures are in the mid -30s with extremes seldom dropping below <br />10 degrees Fahrenheit ( -12.2 Celsius). Average maximum summer temperatures are in the low <br />80's (26.7 to 28.9 Celsius) with extremes seldom exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 <br />Celsius). Snowfall constitutes only 2 percent of the annual precipitation in Eugene. Winter snow <br />does not accumulate; however, quick snow melt can contribute to flooding problems throughout <br />the Eugene area. <br />The National Weather Service records rainfall information at the Mahlon Sweet Airport in <br />Eugene. Average annual precipitation is approximately 46 inches with 86 percent occurring <br />from October to May. Figure 2 -3 presents the average monthly rainfall distribution based on the <br />airport's 48 -year rainfall record from 1949 -1997. <br />Figure 2 -3 <br />Average Monthly Rainfall <br />w <br />,IAAAAAAAA�AI <br />0:\25695978 Eugene RR -SC Final Basin P1an\Master P1anTINAL 2- 2010\Master_Plan 3- 11- 10_FINAL_ Word _Version.doc 11 -7 <br />