FLOOD10389 ‎(2)‎

• Designation Number: 577
• County: Conejos
• Community: Manassa
• Stream Name: Conejos River
• Title: Floodplain Information Report - Manassa Colorado
• Date: 8/1/2004
• Prepared For: Manassa and CWCB
• Prepared By: Love and Associates
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

Local Ordinance ReQuirements

Floodplains are regulated by communities in Colorado on the local level. Communities
adopt an ordinance or regulation which broadly outlines performance standards required
for any development in identified flood hazard areas. In Colorado and nationally, special
standards are applied for development and/or construction for lands within the 100-year
floodplain. Within Manassa, if standard engineering practices are used to address the
control of stormwater drainage, potential damage from North Branch Conejos River
flooding during the 100-year event will be avoided, and no additional permits such as
Floodplain Development Permits will be required.

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is available to owners and occupants of flood prone property through the
federal government's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The federally backed
flood insurance is available to anyone in any community, such as Manassa, which
participates in the NFIP. Communities become participants by adopting floodplain
regulations, adopting an NFIP map (if one exists) and agreeing to cooperate with the
federal government in the local implementation of the NFIP. Property owners and
occupants can then contact an insurance agent familiar with the NFIP (perhaps their own
agent) and purchase insurance through that agent, much like they would purchase
homeowner's insurance. Brochures and other information regarding the National Flood
Insurance Program can be obtained by calling the Regional Office of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Denver at [phone].

Floodplain Mana2:ement Alternatives

Besides floodplain regulations and flood insurance, there are many actions that can
reduce the risk of flood damage in a community. Generally these actions fall into two
classes; structural actions and non-structural actions. Structural actions involve the
construction of facilities to separate floodwaters from property that is at risk. They
include construction of improved channels, enlargement of crossing structures (bridges
and culverts), levees and floodwalls, reservoirs and ponds to detain floodwaters, and
diversion channels and pipes to direct waters elsewhere. Non-structural actions usually
involve removing people and/or structures from the risk area without physically altering
the floodplain. Actions include regulation of new development, the adoption and
enforcement of specific building code requirements, floodproofing of existing buildings,
relocation of structures to safer sites, acquisition of floodplain (including buildings) for
open space or other appropriate land uses, public education, flood warning systems and
emergency response programs.

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