BOARD02024

• Board Meeting Date: 5/16/2006
• Description: Flood Section - Presentation of Statewide Floodplain Criteria Manual
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

Bill Owens
Governor

MEMORANDUM

Russell George
Executive Director

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Rod Kuharich
Director

FROM:

Tom Browning, P.E., Chief, Flood Protection Section
Kevin Houck, P.E., Flood Protection Section

Rick Brown
Acting Deputy Director

DATE:

May 5, 2006

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 9
May 16-17, 2006 Board Meeting
Flood Protection Section - Presentation of Statewide Floodplain Criteria Manual

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Backl!:round

The Colorado Floodplain and Stormwater Criteria Manual (Manual) has been prepared to establish the
minimum Wliform standards for floodplain activities and for the identification and designation of I 00-
year (regulatory) floodplains within the state. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
designates and approves the state's IOO-year floodplains Wlder the provisions of its "Rules and
Regulations for Regulatory Floodplains in Colorado" (Rules and Regulations). The floodplain and
floodway criteria outlined in the Manual are technical guidelines that can assist with the interpretation
of the Rules and Regulations. The Manual was developed and assembled by the CWCB and its
consultant, WRC Engineering. Furthermore, the CWCB obtained significant guidance from its
technical advisory committee throughout the entire process.

The Manual was created based on a framework of operating principles approved by the Board at its
July 2004 meeting. The approval of these operating principles followed a comprehensive workshop on
the development of the Manual presented to the Board at its March 2004 meeting.

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Discussion
The Manual contains engineering and management guidelines for a number of floodplain and
stormwater topics. These guidelines are provided to help local agencies establish standards in dealing
with the drainage issues and problems that may exist in their communities. Many communities within
Colorado currently do not have adequate drainage manuals that address floodplain and stormwater
issues. Establishment and enforcement of minimum drainage standards are important for these
communities to reduce future flood damages to public and private properties and promote public safety
and general welfare of their communities.