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<br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />CWCB POLICY # 18 - DRAFT <br /> <br />STATEWIDE LEVEE POLICY <br /> <br />EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the CWCB <br /> <br />PURPOSE: <br /> <br />POLICY: <br /> <br />APPICABILITY: <br /> <br />PROCEDURE: <br /> <br />To discourage the use oflevees as flood protection measures. <br /> <br />The use of levees for property protection, flood control, and flood hazard <br />mitigation is not encouraged by the CWCB, unless other mitigation <br />alternatives at'e not cost-effective or viable. In situations where levees are the <br />only viable alternative for protection of existing development, "setback" <br />levees should be designed and constructed to maintain the natural channel <br />and reserve a portion of the natural floodplain capacity. The CWCB does not <br />endorse the use of levees for flood protection along streams or watercourses <br />where new development is planned. <br /> <br />This policy applies to all proposed man-made embankments that are intended <br />to provide flood protection from flood flow events up to and including the <br />design storm event. Levees are typically designed to provide a specific level <br />of protection along the stream reach of interest. They can be overtopped or <br />fail during flood events larger than the design flood event, and can also <br />deteriorate over time due to lack of proper maintenance and required <br />upgrades based on watershed hydrology and other factors. When levees do <br />fail, they usually fail catastrophically. The resulting damage caused by a <br />levee failure may be more significant than damage caused if the levee was <br />not in place. Levees do not provide full or unlimited protection from <br />flooding to the people and property that they were designed to protect. <br /> <br />In cases where levees are determined to be the only feasible mitigation <br />alternative, the design and constmction of levees must comply with the <br />Colorado Floodplain and Stormwater Criteria Manual, Chapter 13, Section 4. <br />(CWCB). <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />