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In Colorado as in most other states, many cities were developed along the banks of rivers. As population Increased so did the use of the flood plain for housing and Industry. Reliance on structural measures and a false sense of security because of the long period between major f1oodsled~to even further development. The result created greater need for flood control. In spite of the billions of dollars spent for protection nationally, annual flood damages grow larger. Colorado Flood Plain Management mi.<?4,/j., ApprOXimatel~ Colorado's local communities ha\1e a ~in program in place and are eligible for low cost federal flood insurance provided for by the National Flood Insurance Program established by Congress in Flood plain identification and mapping in 1968. A flood plain index is available at the Water Colorado is an ongoing process. The Colorado Conservation Board for use by developers to . .... "~:~~W~~~ciry~~~~~&;~~~::ii~~~orat[C2~i_:.... .""'~6~~\feei~~~~~~~t;~r~8~.~~,~~~~~l)~,......... governments each year. The Board has the restrictions on federal loan programs, such promulgated Model Flood Plain Regulations as FHA, which deal with construction in a flood which set standards as guidelines for plain. community flood plain programs and guarantee compliance with federal regulations. Small communities often have trouble funding flood plain mapping. Assistance is available through the Flood Plain Management Services Program administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. The money for this program is decreasing, however, and local governments requesting assistance may have to wait for funds. Non-structural management practices are gaining in popularity and availability. Using flood plain land for greenbelts, parks, recreation and wildlife habitat serves a dual purpose. It helps fulfill the open-space requirements in many communities as well as providing for the utilization of the land to serve its natural purpose - to slow down run-off, absorb some of the water and temporarily retain it in the soil. On a national level Section 73 of the 1974 Water Resources Development Act makes it mandatory for all federal agencies to consider alternatives in flood protection projects. If the non-structural alternative is recommended, flood plain land can be acquired with the federal funds formerly used only for structural measures such as dams and channelizat.ion. . . ... . ...... .""'''.''Xriother non=tffLErUr'iiTTcioT'iNlth..--.................. tremendous potential is Colorado's satellite monitoring system which has been in operation since 1985. This computerized system links gauging stations all over the state via satellite. River flows can be monitored and instantly analyzed, a powerful tool for many of Colorado's water management needs. Its value in flood prevention was demonstrated when a potentially damaging flood in Alamosa was averted. Flood peaks were projected with upstream monitoring data and large ditches were opened to pull water out of the stream before it could reach flood proportions in town. Page 19