BOARD00114 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 1/24/2007
• Description: Flood Section - Meteorological Services Program Annual Update
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

Bill Riner, Jr.
Governor

MEMORANDUM

Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Kevin HO~~P.E., Flood Protection Section

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Rod Kuharich
Director

FROM:

DATE: January 12, 2007

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 16
January 23-24,2007 Board Meeting
Flood Protection Section - Meteorological Services Program - Annual Update

Backe:round
The Flood Protection Section works closely with both floodplain managers and emergency managers from
communities throughout the state. Through discussions with various local officials statewide, it was determined
that there was significant local interest in an enhanced flood prediction tool to be offered based on expected
weather conditions.

One comment repeatedly heard is that local officials do not know where to go to find useful, up-to-date
information. It should be noted that Colorado is split into many regions by the National Weather Service
(NWS), and four different forecasting centers provide predictions for various areas of the state. This leads to
different forecasting styles, and creates problems for end users who are unsure of where to look for their
weather forecasting products.

A service was desired that would provide interested users with a comprehensive daily and long-range forecast
for the entire state of Colorado, all to be found in one location. In response to this local feedback, the CWCB
Flood Protection Section began a pilot meteorological flood prediction program (Program) in 2006. The
Program was designed to be flood-focused, so more attention could be paid to the actual flood threat, than for
other non-flood meteorological events, which include wind, severe weather, and extreme temperatures, among
others.

During most of the 2006 Flood Season (June 1 51-October 315\ 2006), the CWCB Flood Section, in partnership
with HDR Hydro-Met Services, began the Program to address flood hazards throughout the state. This Program
includes a daily statewide outlook with quantitative rainfall predictions and a detailed assessment of flood
potential. The targeted audience includes local floodplain administrators, emergency managers, and concerned
citizens. The Flood Forecasting Program can be found at the following website. A link is provided from the
CWCB Flood page, but is only active during the actual flood season.

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