Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />These apartment nouses are _Ithln the flood plaIn of 3ear <br />Creek In the uenver metropOlitan area. A flood control dam <br />has been placed upstream of this development. <br /> <br />Flooding <br /> <br />FL000lNG Is the overflowing of water onto land tnat Is <br />normally dry. It Is a natural event that has occurred <br />periodically throughout geologIc tIme. Flood pl.~Ins are the <br />land areas adjacent to strea~s that flood waters cover. <br /> <br />Characteristics <br /> <br />Flooding Is a common, often seasonal occurrence. When sol Is <br />become saturated from prolonged rains or snOwmelt, the water <br />accu~ulates faster than It can be absorbed or carried a_ay In <br />stream channels. Stream levals gradually rIse over several <br />hours or days so that some notice can be given of Impending <br />high waters--a distinct contrast to a mountaIn torrent or <br />flash flood _hlch happens so fast that little warnIng can be <br />given. Accldontal or forced rel"eases from reservoirs also <br />can cause floods. The mainstream of a flood (floodwilY) Is <br />swift and forcefully destructive. The overflow onto the <br />flood plain (flood fringe) Is less forceful but stili <br />destructive. Flood waters are loaded with sediment IInd <br />debris which In themselves become agents of destruction In <br />addItion to the water Itself. A stream may change Its course <br />during a tlood, cutting a new channel within the flood plain. <br /> <br />Consequences <br /> <br />Flood da~age Is caused by the force of the water Itself, the <br />saturation of land and property, the erosive nature of the <br />water and deposItion of mud o!Ind debris. Homes, trailers, <br />trees, signs. and other Items swept away by the flood waters <br />are Ja~med against bridges. fences, buildings, utility poles. <br />and other structures. resulting In "backwater" da~age that <br />the flood Iilllters alone would not cause. Crops and livestock <br />often are drowned and swept away. The swirling oIaters. theIr <br />erosive capabIlity Increased by sediments and debris, <br />undermine bridges, buildIngs, and other Improvements. "'S the <br />t load water S recede, the sed I men t sand debr I s cover the <br />Inundated areas. Sewer and water lines may be ruptured and <br />ut I II ty II nes downed. There I saw I de range of havoc <br />generated directly and Indirectly. The loss of hu~an life Is <br />a real possibility In any flood. <br /> <br /> <br />5 <br />