BOARD01179

• Board Meeting Date: 7/25/2006
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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"We would not have had the success as a State that we experienced without the significant
technical assistance provided by the Colorado Water Conservation Board", stated Marilyn GalIy
of CD EM, the State Hazard Mitigation Officer and PDM Grant Manager. "The assistance
provided by the CWCB was invaluable and proved to be the deciding factor for the flood
applications. As a State, Colorado got more than our share this time around."

In fact, in the past two grant cycles, Colorado has received $14 million out of a pool of $200
million nationalIy, or 7 percent of the money available nationalIy.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program addresses the flood hazard specificalIy. The
CWCB Flood Protection Section administers the FMA Program.

Unlike the PDM program, the FMA program is funded by allocating specific amounts to each
state to be distributed according to the state's internal needs. Colorado is low on the list
nationally in terms of alIocated funds, but has the highest level of funding in FEMA Region VIII.
The funding level for this program can only be used for plans or projects that specifically address
flood prone properties.

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AlIocated funding for Colorado includes $12,000 for planning activities, $110,000 for projects,
and $11,000 for CWCB operating expenses for technical assistance services. However, as a
bonus for Colorado this grant cycle, a number of other states did not fully expend their
allocations, making additional money available. By acting quickly, the CWCB Flood Section
was able to secure an additional $165,000 of project funds and $5,000 of planning funds. A total
of $270,000 has been awarded to the Town of Gilcrest for construction of a regional detention
pond that wilI alleviate repetitive flood problems that have occurred in the Town during relatively
frequent events. Furthermore, $16,000 was awarded to Summit County to prepare a Flood
Mitigation Plan, which they intend to incorporate into a larger All-Hazards Plan.

CWCB Flood Outlooks Online: On June I, the CWCB Flood Section, in partnership with HDR
Hydro-Met Services, began a comprehensive meteorological program to address flood hazards
throughout the state. This program includes a daily statewide outlook with quantitative rainfall
predictions and a detailed assessment of flood potential. AII areas of the state are classified on a
daily basis as No Flood Threat, Minor Flood Potential, Flood Watch, and Flood Warning. These
outlooks are generally available once per day and are issued in the late morning. In addition, on
Mondays and Fridays, a medium range outlook of 3- 1 5 days is provided so that officials around
the state can make necessary preparations in anticipation of potential problems.

The targeted audience includes local floodplain administrators, emergency managers, and
concerned citizens. While there was very little to report during the first three weeks of the
program, the weather has become more active since that time, and this tool has proven invaluable
in warning local officials ofthe flood threat for the day.

In addition to this forecasting tool, this program provides a forensic tool which shows a Doppler
reconstruction of rain fa 11 from the previous day. This has been useful to the Flood Protection
Staff in identifying areas of potentialIy high rainfalI and areas of probable floods. This assists the
Flood Protection Section in carrying out its duties of preparing for and responding to flood
events. As the flood season progresses, there is no doubt that this program will continue to
provide assistance to alIlevels in the prevention and/or mitigation of flood damages.

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The Flood Forecasting Program can be found at the folIowing website. A link is provided from
the CWCB Flood page. htto:/lwww.hdrweather.comlcwcb/cwcbinformation.htm

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