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W ATIENBERG, COLORADO FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN AUGUST 1996 APPENDIX 2 Spotter Network One of the most exciting opportunities for flood hazard mitigatIon in Wallenberg is the development of a local spotter network for flood warning. This network of volunteers would be designated to monitor rainfall amounts and the stream level of the South Platte directly affecting Wattenberg. Rainfall observation stations would monitor local rainfall with standardized rain gauges so all records could be accurately correlated and compiled into evidence for informed decision-making by the Weld County Office of Emergency Management. In this system, daily rainfall records would be kept, but only heavy accumulations would be relayed to the Weld County Office of Emergency Management, who would calculate the potential for flood hazard. Rainfall information would be supplemented by stream gauges placed at strategic points along the South Platte River (See Figure 8). Stream gauge reports would be reported by a designated volunteer every time the level changes rapidly or at least every time there is a significant change in the stream level (especially as the stream level approaches the designated critical level for that site). "Significant" can be defined as every increase of one-quarter to one-half foot in depth; however, over lime the spotter will be able 10 get a better feel for what kind of changes in the stream level are significant. Training provided by the local Floodplain Administrator will also help define "when" and "what" to report. Another important component of this spotter network is keeping logs. The process of determining when a stream is reaching its critical level is very difficult. Improved determinations can - ---..;- .- I I I 1 16