Laserfiche WebLink
<br />29 <br /> <br />Discussion <br />In SB 99-173, authorization for the Cherry Creek; Reservoir Flood Safety Investigation, the . <br />CWCB received the authority to perform a PMP and PMF 8tudy. The authorization was funded <br />in the amount of $75,000 for such investigations. In the scoping and contracting for the PMP <br />study, the PMP project budget required all of the fuhds to implement the required tasks for the <br />performance of the PMP inve8tigation. The CWCB staff and the technical review team find that <br />it is essential that the project also include a PMF Investigation. The PMF investigation will <br />determine the required flood storage volumes in the Cherry Creek Reservoir, and will determine <br />the maximum peak inflow to the reservoir during Ii PMP event. The PMF study will use the <br />rainfall values and climatological data that were deyeloped in the PMP investigation. Without <br />the proposed PMF study, it would be Impossible :to quantitatively determine if'the Cherry <br />Creek dam and reservoir are adequate for flood ~rotection. <br /> <br />The budget for the PMF investigation is estimated at ;$150,000. The scoping and contracting will <br />follow the same procedure as the original PMP study. The study scope will consider using the <br />existing Corps of Engineers watershed model. Stafr has been in communication with the Corps <br />and it is anticipated that the Corps will cooperate with the CWCB and the Technical Review <br />Team in the performance of the PMF investigation. <br /> <br />The proposed funding for the PMF investigatio~ consists of a $75,000 non-reimbursable <br />investment from the CWCB construction fund, and $75,000 matching moneyftom the local <br />sponsoring communities, for a total estimated study cost of $150,000. <br /> <br />Project Importance: This study, although limited to the Cherry Creek watershed, has far- <br />reaching impacts both at the statewide and even at a national level. The U.S. Government has . <br />listed Cherry Creek dam as one of the top priori~es for re-study and potential upgrading if <br />necessary. The reason for this is that the dam sits a\Jove a major metropolitan are'a (i.e. the City <br />of Denver and several suburbs), and failure of the d~m during a PMP event could potentially kill <br />10,000 people and cause billions of dollars worth of: property damage. On the other hand, if the <br />dam and reservoir are adequate by today's teclinical standards, then millions of dollars of <br />taxpayers money (all taxpayers in Colorado and nationwide) could be unwisely spent by the <br />Corps. In addition, many property owners, commuters, and businesses in the area could be <br />severely impacted. Denver is an economic hub for the State of Colorado, and major impacts to <br />this area are indeed of statewide concern! ' <br /> <br />Recommendation ~ <br />Staff recommends that the Board request the General Assembly authorize up to $75,000 for a <br />non-reimbursable investment from the CWCB Cdnstruction Fund to be appropriated to the <br />Department of Natural Resources for allocation to the CWCB for the performance of a Probable <br />Maximum Flood (PMF) analysis for the Cherry Creek Reservoir Flood Safety Study. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />2 <br />