FLOOD11685 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STATE OF COLORADO Colorado Water Conservation Board Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3441 FAX: (303) 866-4474 www.cwcb.state.co.us COLORADO FLOOD TASK FORCE REPORT & WATER AVAILABILITY TASK FORCE REPORT Bill Owens Governor Russell George Executive Director MEETING SUMMARY FOR June 15,2004 This report presents the findings from the Colorado Flood Task Force (FTF) and Water Availability Task Force (W A TF) joint meeting for the 2004 spring season. Meeting participants Dan McAuliffe include various local, state and federal officials and private sector experts. Larry Lang is the Deputy Director Chair of the Flood Task Force and Brad Lundahl is the Chair of the W A TF. The FTF meets during flood season to coordinate flood related activities, monitor extreme weather and share information and assistance opportunities. The W A TF meets year round to monitor and coordinate drought impacts and conditions. This report represents a short summary ofthe presentations and discussions for the meeting. For a detailed flood and drought perspective please visit the presenters PowerPoint presentations on the CWCB web site at http://cwcb.state.co.us/flood watch/ and http://cwcb.state.co.us/owc/Drought Planning/Agendas/Agendas.htm. Rod Kuharich CWCB Director Natural Resources - Executive Director's Office - Frank McNulty (Assistant Director water issues) Mr. McNulty stated that drought is naturally occurring force and one ofthe least predictable and patient natural disasters. Executive Director Russell George wanted to be here today but was in final interviews for the Wildlife director position. Cooperation is the best way to get through drought circumstances. These Task Forces are designed to have government work cooperatively and coordinate policies. The discussions and recommendations are brought to the Governor's office through the Task Forces, the CWCB and the DWR. In preparing for drought situations, more reservoir storage will be key . We need to increase storage in Colorado. Drought preparedness, expanding current facilities, conservation and building new facilities will be key. The Statewide Water Supply Investigation project will be coming out this fall and we look forward to its findings and working with the CWCB to implement recommendations. Robert McGuire - Governor's Policy Office Stated that the Governor values this work of the Flood and Drought Task Forces. The Governor's Office looks at water availability and fire danger closely. He also stated that the fire experts believe we need precipitation every 6-10 days to keep fire danger down. 1944: The RAF Chief Meteorologist - Group Captain James Stagg (a Met Office employee) briefs General Dwight D Eisenhower on 5 June that a 36-hour 'weather window' is imminent. This prompts Eisenhower to order the start of Operation Overlord on 6 June. (The D-Day landings had been planned for 5 June, but had been delayed by 24 hours the previous day owing to bad weather. ) Trivia Question - Who was James Stagg? Brad Lundahl asked who was James Stagg? Captain James Stagg was a British naval meteorologist to the British Royal Navy in World War II, Operation Overlord, also known as D-Davy. There was uncertainty about the weather conditions preceding the allied invasion of Europe. Stagg sent a warship up to the southern coast ofIceland to gather weather reports to help predict the weather. He received daily reports from this ship and he made a recommendation to President Eisenhower that there was a high-pressure system over the English channel and that they had a small window I