FLOOD10351

• County: Statewide
• Community: Statewide
• Title: Statewide River Rehabilitation & Flood Plain Management Needs Inventory
• Date: 12/1/1998
• Prepared For: State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources
• Prepared By: McLaughlin Water Engineers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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CHAPTER III
"INVENTORY PROCESS
"

RESEARCH

The first task completed by the consultant team was basic research to assess the current information
available regarding floodplain mapping, existing flood hazards, flood damages and repetitive losses, and
structural and nonstructural flood hazard mitigation needs. The primary state/local agencies are the CWCS
and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.

The CWCS was created by Legislature in 1937. Today the CWCS is part of the Department of Natural
Resources for the expressed general purpose "to promote the conservation of the waters of the state of
Colorado in order to secure the greatest utilization of such waters and the utmost prevention of floods."
Specific legislative charges regarding the floodplain information and management program are:

· To devise and formulate methods, means, and plans for bringing about the greater utilization of
the waters of the state and the prevention of flood damages therefrom.

· To designate and approve storm or floodway runoff channels or basins,

· To make such designations available to legislative bodies of cities and incorporated towns; to
county planning commissions and to boards of adjustment of cities; and counties of the state.

· To promulgate a model floodplain regulation for floodplain hazard areas.

· To identify mitigation measures to reduce flood risks.

· To assist local governments on a continuing basis in the management of their floodplain hazard
areas.

· To assist local governments on a continuing basis in determining what use and occupation may be
permitted in designated floodplain hazard areas.

Over the years, CWCS has completed floodplain information studies (which include flood damage histories
and floodplain maps) and post-flood assessment reports, which document field inspections and flood
damages. The CWCS is also the state agency that administers the flood insurance program for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency. The staff at CWCS maintains a library of floodplain information studies,
flood insurance maps and other related reports for flood prone communities throughout Colorado.

Section III - 1