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<br />was also reported in the vicinity of Pagosa Springs along the Rio Blanco, a tributary to the San Juan <br />River. The measured peak flow on the Rio Blanco at the gage was on the order of 3,000 cubic feet per <br />second on June 20, 2004, however there are indications that the gage may not have captured the actual <br />peak flow that was reported to be greater. A significant number of additional noteworthy floods . <br />occurred, and the CWCB is in the process of finalizing the 2004 flood summary report that will be <br />made available to all interested parties via the CWCB website. <br /> <br />Post-event floodplain delineation review: The devastating wildfires during the summer of 2002 created <br />significant flood and debris flow problems for a number of communities in Colorado. The CWCB has <br />been extremely active with post-wildfire flood hazard identification. The Hayman Fire, for example, <br />burned over 200 square mils of forested lands southwest of the Denver Metro area. The photo below <br />illustrates post-wildfire hazards resulting from the Hayman Fire. The Coal Seam and Missionary Ridge <br />Fires destroyed thousands of acres of forest vegetation in the vicinity of G1enwood Springs and <br />Durango, respectively. The hydrologic impacts of these fires were studied in detail by a team of experts <br />to produce hazard mapping for use by floodplain managers, emergency managers, affected landowners, <br />and mitigation specialists. The CWCB contributed funding and technical assistance to this effort <br />through the Flood Response Program. In fact, detailed post-wildfire floodplain mapping for the <br />Hayman Burn area is scheduled to be included within the new Douglas County Digital Flood Insurance <br />Rate Maps for regulatory purposes. This monumental inclusion represents the first of its kind within <br />the entire country. <br /> <br />Flood forecasting and Long-term weather outlooks: The CWCB has engaged the services of John <br />Henz of HDR Engineering to provide flood forecasting and long-term outlooks. Mr. Henz has <br />provided these services to the CWCB on an annual basis to assist in the prediction of long-term <br />precipitation and weather patterns. The graphic below presents one form of data used to analyze . <br />weather trends. These predictions have been very useful for flood, water supply, and drought planning. <br />Flood Task Force meetings, chaired by CWCB staff, are held each spring to assess flood potential for <br />the upcoming season. A comprehensive presentation was also given to the Board at the March 2004 <br />meeting to summarize the forecasts and outlooks. <br /> <br />Pre- and post-flood aerial photography: The CWCB is currently investigating the benefits of <br />potentially contracting with Digital Globe to provide on-demand satellite imagery for select locations <br />in Colorado. The new digital imagery could be very useful for conducting studies and projects related <br />to the Program in addition to capturing post-flood inundation zones for response and recovery efforts. <br />This technology may prove to be a low cost and efficient means of obtaining much needed data. <br /> <br />Program Implementation: The CWCB staff traditionally contracts with qualified professionals to <br />support Flood Response activities using the State's "As Needed Services" program, which provides for <br />a streamlined selection and contracting process for individual studies that are $50,000 or less. <br /> <br />Staff Request <br />The CWCB Staff requests that the Board consider restoring up to $150,000 (with a likely amount on <br />the order of$130,000) to the Flood Response Fund to refresh and maintain it to the original $150,000 <br />funding level for Fiscal Year 2005. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br />Staff recommends that the Board request the General Assembly to restore up to $150,000 from the <br />Construction Fund to be appropriated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for the Flood Response <br />Program. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />