BOARD00158 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 3/13/2007
• Description: Flood Section - 2007 Long-Term Flood and Water Availability Outlook - Presentation by John Henz
• 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

MEMORANDUM

Bill Ritter, Jr,
Governor

To:
From:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members
Tom Browning, Chief, Flood Protection Section
Kevin Houck, Engineer, Flood Protection Section
February 26, 2007
Agenda Item 21- March 12-13, 2007 CWCB Meeting
Long-Term Flood and Water Availability Outlook

Harris D. Shennan
Executive Director

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Date:
Re:

Dan McAuliffe
Deputy Director

Introduction
This agenda item is informational in nature and will consist mainly ofa presentation by John Henz ofHDR, Inc.
The purpose ofthe presentation is to provide the Board with meteorological information related to the upcoming
2007 flood season and the remaining portion of the water year. Mr. Henz has regularly provided the Board with
similar information during each of its March meetings over the past several years.

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Staff plans to also provide a very brief presentation in conjunction with Mr. Henz to discuss on-going CWCB flood
preparation and response activities in Colorado. A summary of CWCB activities is provided below.

Backeround
In past years, CWCB Flood Protection staff (Staff) has closely monitored snowpack throughout the state to evaluate
the threat of snowmelt runoff. Unlike in recent years, the current concern is related to snowfall on the Eastern
Plains, resulting in not only significant snow water equivalent, but also in significantly wet ground conditions,
which may exacerbate storm runoff in the spring and summer months. Flood Protection Staff have been monitoring
this closely along with the snowmelt threat throughout the state. In addition to the public information and
coordination roles, Staff continues to chair the Colorado Flood Task Force and exhibits leadership for local, state,
and federal partnering functions.

Staff cooperates with the Colorado Division of Water Resources and the Department of Local Affairs in
implementing flood awareness and preparedness activities. The weather information provided by John Henz -
HDR Engineering, Inc., the National Weather Service, and NOAA has been very useful in assisting with
monitoring actions. Staff intends to provide an informational PowerPoint presentation to the Board for this agenda
item.

Summary of CWCB Sprine Flood Preparedness Activities
· Chair the Colorado Flood Task Force Meetings to monitor and report on flood threats.
· Provide a press. release reminding communities to be aware of potential flooding and to emphasize the need
for purchasing and updating flood insurance policies.
· Make available 100-year regulatory floodplain mapping and other technical assistance to the public
· Distribute snowmelt flood updates via email and the CWCB website
. Utilize the CWCB Flood Response Fund as needed

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. ConselVation and Drought Planning